benzylaminopurine

Benzylaminopurine, commonly abbreviated BA or BAP, is a synthetic cytokinin, a class of plant growth regulators that influence cell division and shoot development. It is a purine derivative, specifically 6-benzylaminopurine, where a benzylamino group is attached to the N6 position of adenine.

In plants, cytokinins regulate cell division, shoot initiation, and delay of leaf senescence. Benzylaminopurine is perceived by cytokinin receptors and modulates transcriptional programs that promote shoot proliferation and extend tissue viability. It is often used in tissue culture to enhance shoot formation from explants and to establish proliferating shoot cultures.

Applications and use

Benzylaminopurine is widely employed in plant tissue culture to induce multiple shoot formation and to regenerate plants from callus or explants. In vitro media, such as Murashige and Skoog medium, frequently include BA in combination with auxins to direct organogenesis toward shoots rather than roots or undirected growth. The response is species-dependent and influenced by the cytokinin-to-auxin balance. BA has also been used to delay senescence in detached plant tissues and to extend the postharvest life of some plant materials in experimental settings.

Availability and notes

BA is commercially available as a laboratory chemical and is used primarily in research and commercial propagation through tissue culture. Its use in field applications is limited and subject to regulatory considerations. As with other synthetic plant growth regulators, handling should follow standard laboratory safety practices, and users should consult material safety data sheets for appropriate precautions.