RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of plant growth substances on induction and culture of callus from Rhodiola quadrifida and also to analyze salidroside contents in the callus.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The optimum combination of plant growth substances in MS solid medium for induction and culture of callus was established using orthogonal design. The contents of salidroside was analyzed by HPLC.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>MS medium containing 2,4-D 1 mg x L(-1), NAA 2 mg x L(-1), 6-BA 0.5 mg x L(-1) and KT 0.1 mg x L(-1) could induce the callus from R. quadrifida most effectively;the induction rate was 83.3%. The optimized combination of plant growth substances for callus subculture was 2,4-D 1 mg x L(-1), 6-BA 0.1 mg x L(-1) and KT 0.5 mg x L(-1). The dry weight could reach 11.77 g x L(-1) when the callus was cultured in the optimum medium for 30 d and salidroside content was 0.28%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The quantities of plant growth substances required for induction and culture of callus are different in R. quadrifida. The callus could produce salidroside.</p>