OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of plant growth substances on induction and culture of callus from Rhodiola quadrifida and also to analyze salidroside contents in the callus.

METHODThe optimum combination of plant growth substances in MS solid medium for induction and culture of callus was established using orthogonal design. The contents of salidroside was analyzed by HPLC.

RESULTMS medium containing 2,4-D 1 mg x L(-1), NAA 2 mg x L(-1), 6-BA 0.5 mg x L(-1) and KT 0.1 mg x L(-1) could induce the callus from R. quadrifida most effectively;the induction rate was 83.3%. The optimized combination of plant growth substances for callus subculture was 2,4-D 1 mg x L(-1), 6-BA 0.1 mg x L(-1) and KT 0.5 mg x L(-1). The dry weight could reach 11.77 g x L(-1) when the callus was cultured in the optimum medium for 30 d and salidroside content was 0.28%.

CONCLUSIONThe quantities of plant growth substances required for induction and culture of callus are different in R. quadrifida. The callus could produce salidroside.