Growth and Metabolic Activity of Lemon Juice Vesicle Explants in Vitro

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Abstract
Actively growing juice-vesicle explants, established from small lemon (C. limon L. Burm. f. cv. Eureka) fruits, were cultured in vitro on defined media. The juice vesicles continued to enlarge in culture for several months, without callus proliferation, and their initial growth was promoted by IAA, GA and N6-benzyladenine. The metabolic competence of the explants and its relevance to whole fruit development was investigated. Juice vesicles continued to accumulate protein on all media, for at least 16 days, but sugars did not change much during culture. Acid invertase increased dramatically during the 1st days of culture and its specific activity was markedly promoted by IAA and to a lesser degree by GA. Total peroxidase of juice vesicles increased progressively up to the 11th day of culture and its specific activity was promoted by all 3 hormones, especially by N6-benzyladenine. Explant growth was accompanied by the appearance of several cathodic and anodic isoperoxidases. The study of this unique juice vesicle system may contribute to a better understanding of fruit development.