African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12484

Review

Thidiazuron: A multi-dimensional plant growth regulator

B. Guo1, Bilal Haider Abbasi2*, Amir Zeb2, L. L. Xu3 and Y. H. Wei1      
1Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China(Northwest University), Ministry of Education; School of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an710069, China. 2Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad-45320, Pakistan. 3Department of Life Science Xi’an University of Arts and Science Xi’an, 710065, China.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 29 June 2011
  •  Published: 17 August 2011

Abstract

Thidiazuron (TDZ) has gained a considerable attention during past decades due to its efficient role in plant cell and tissue culture. Wide array of physiological responses were observed in response to TDZ-application in different plant species. TDZ has shown both auxin and cytokinin like effects, although, chemically, it is totally different from commonly used auxins and cytokinins. A number of biological (physiological and biochemical) events in cells are induced or enhanced by TDZ, but the mode of action of TDZ is yet unknown. However, varieties of underlying mechanisms were revealed by reports showing how morphogenic events were induced by application of TDZ. Other reports showed that TDZ may modify endogenous plant growth regulators, either directly or indirectly and produce reactions in cell/tissue, necessary for its division/regeneration. Other possibilities include modification in cell membrane, energy levels, nutrient absorption, transport and assimilation, etc. In this review, recent advancements in TDZ application in plant sciences are discussed.

 

Key words: Thidiazuron, plant growth regulators, somatic embryogenesis, regeneration, cell cultures, metabolism.

Abbreviation

ABA, Abscisic acid; ATP, adenosine triphosphate; AVG, amino ethoxyvinylglycine; BA, 6-benzyl adenine; CAT, catalase; CBP, cytokinin binding protein; GA, Gibberellic acid; IAA, indole-3-acetic acid; IBA, indole-3-butyric acid; iP,isopentenyl adenine; µM, micro molar; mM, mili molar; MS, Murashige and Skoog;NAA, α-naphthalene acetic acid; nM, nano molar; PCIB, p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid; POD, peroxidase; TDZ,   thidiazuron; TFP, trifluoperazine; TIBA, 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid; ZR, zeatin riboside; 2, 4-D, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.