Virus wound tumors of Rumex acetosa were cultivated satisfactorily in a chemically defined medium containing inorganic salts, sucrose, B vitamins, and agar. Best growth was obtained in media with relatively high concentrations of nitrate and phosphate, sucrose 2-3%, agar 1%, and with the pH value adjusted to about 5.2. 2. The tumor consists of small parenchymatous nodules, containing meristematic zones and some differentiated elements, loosely held together to form a disorganized mass which has never been observed to differentiate normal plant organs. 3. When the tumor was grafted onto leaves of healthy Rumex plants, enlarged veins and tumefaction of the roots resulted. 4. This virus-infected tumor tissue, showing rapid growth and having apparent stability in a simple basal medium, provides valuable experimental material for further study of problems in the fields of virology and growth and development.
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Burkholder et al. (1949) studied this question.