<span>Concentration-Dependent Role of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid in Callus Induction, Somatic Embryogenesis, and Antioxidant Responses in Rubber Tree (<em>Ficus elastica)</em></span>

Yaseen, Fareed Khalid

doi:10.58928/ku26.17319

	Concentration-Dependent Role of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid in Callus Induction, Somatic Embryogenesis, and Antioxidant Responses in Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)
Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)
Volume 17, Issue 3, September 2026, Pages 193-203 PDF (476.6 K)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.58928/ku26.17319
Author
Fareed Khalid Yaseen^*
Department of Environmental Science /College of Science / University of Zakho
Abstract
ABSTRACT This study examined the influence of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on callus development, embryogenic competence, and antioxidant metabolism in Ficus elastica. Leaf explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium containing 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 mg·L⁻¹ 2,4-D. A marked effect of auxin concentration was observed on morphogenetic and biochemical parameters (p < 0.01). The optimal response occurred at 1.0 mg·L⁻¹, where callus induction reached 85.2 ± 1.1% with a biomass of 3.18 ± 0.14 g·explant⁻¹ and the shortest initiation time of 22.6 ± 0.5 days (p = 0.007). Somatic embryogenesis was most successful at this level, producing 74.4 ± 1.2% embryo induction, a quality index of 5.1 ± 0.4, and 54.6 ± 1.6% plantlet conversion (p = 0.006). Regenerated plantlets from the same treatment showed superior rooting (91.4 ± 1.4%) and survival following acclimatization (85.3 ± 1.4%; p = 0.006). Antioxidant enzyme activity was also highest at 1.0 mg·L⁻¹, with superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase activities significantly enhanced (p = 0.006), while oxidative stress markers such as H₂O₂, malondialdehyde, and electrolyte leakage were at their lowest. Phenolic compounds (1.77 ± 0.05 mg GAE g⁻¹ FW; p = 0.007) and free proline (2.27 ± 0.06 µmol g⁻¹ FW; p = 0.007) also peaked at this concentration. In contrast, 2.0 mg·L⁻¹ suppressed morphogenesis and increased oxidative damage (p = 0.007). Collectively, these findings confirm that 2,4-D regulates morphogenesis and stress physiology in a concentration-dependent manner, with 1.0 mg·L⁻¹ identified as the most effective for optimizing regeneration in F. elastica.
Keywords
Keywords: Rooting and acclimatization; Callus Induction; Phenolic compounds; Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂); Ficus elastica

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Concentration-Dependent Role of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid in Callus Induction, Somatic Embryogenesis, and Antioxidant Responses in Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)