Abstract: Changes of endogenous IAA level and IAA action in cultured rice ( Oryza sativa L. ) somatic cells during the period from 7th to 15th day which was the transition from somatic to embryogenic cells were observed. The study was carded out in three experimental systems viz. mature caryopsis and young panicles (2 ~ 5 mm long) of rice cv. "Guangluai 4" under normal osmosis (3% sucrose), mature caryopses from rice cv. "Yanjing 2" or "Guangluai 4" under normal and higher osmosis (5% sucrose or 2.5 % sorbitol). During this period, endogenous IAA contents were greatly increased in young-panicle calli under normal osmosis and mature-caryoptic calli under higher osmosis but decreased in mature-caryoptic calli under normal osmosis. Exogenous IAA could induce the appearance of embryogenic cell from nonembryogenic callus at a lower frequency. And 2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid could increase the frequency of embryogenic cell induction. From these results it could be concluded that accumulation of higher IAA level in the cultured rice cells was essential for induction of embryogenic cell appearance. Since 2,4-D was involved in all induction medium with the same concentration but exerted different effects on embryogenic cell induction, it was suggested that it might act through mediating the endogenous IAA metabolism.

Key words: Rice, Embryogenic cell, IAA, 2,4-D, 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid