Using Tobacco Cell Culture to Proof Allelopathic Interactions of Ailanthus altissima Extracts

Nicotiana tabacum cultivar Bright Yellow 2 cell line is a widely used model system for higher plants. These cell cultures feature a high growth rate, homogeneity and are simple to handle. In our studies we demonstrate that single cell monitoring combined with BY-2 biomass measurements, is a promising model system to understand allelopathic interactions and mechanisms of so called "natural herbicides". We introduce this method in the present work by treating BY-2 cell cultures with root extracts from Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae), an invasive plant species, in various concentrations and thereby reveal significantly changes in cell morphology, cell division and a reduction in Nicotiana tabacum cultivar BY-2 biomass.