Pisatin Production by Tissue Cultures of Pisum sativum L.

Callus tissues of Pisum sativum produced the phytoalexin pisatin when grown in axenic culture. Coconut milk, which was in the culture media, induced pisatin formation in pea leaf discs. Cultures which had been established for over 18 months showed a marked reduction in the ability to produce pisatin. Pisatin inhibited the growth of pea callus at low concentrations (5 to 10 μg./ml.), and may control callus tissue initiation and cellular necrosis during host-fungus interactions.