callus induction and growth, as well as metabolite variations, of two taxus spp. under in vitro conditions

The present study investigated the effect of growth regulators on the quantity and quality of calli of two yew tree species (taxus spp). a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design was performed using 2,4-d and kinetin on leaf and stem explants of t. baccata and t. brevifolia. calli traits, including fresh weight, total phenol, total alkaloids, and paclitaxel content, were investigated. the simple effect of hormonal treatments on total phenolic content, total alkaloids, and fresh weight of calli was significant. total phenol content and fresh weight were not affected by the interaction of hormonal treatments, whereas total alkaloid content was. paclitaxel content did not significantly differ between explants. the highest paclitaxel content was found in the leaf explant of t. baccata at 30 µg/g, compared to 5 µg/g and 10 µg/g in t. baccata stem, t. brevifolia  stem, and t. brevifolia  leaf, respectively. the fresh weight and total alkaloid content of stem calli of both species were higher than the leaves. yew is a valuable endangered medicinal plant that responds well to in vitro treatments. therefore, it is possible to manage the production of its valuable metabolites under in vitro conditions, and more research is recommended on the production of paclitaxel using t. baccata.