The paper investigated the effect of the abiotic elicitor chromium trichloride on the production of fiavonoids in the callus and suspension cultures of Ononis arvensis L. after 12; 24; 48; 72, and 168-bour administration. The tested elicitor positively infiuenced the formation of fiavonoids. A statistically significant increase in the fiavonoid production in the callus Culture was recorded with the use of a chromium trichloride solution in the concentration cl (6.32 . 10_a moUl) after 24; 48; 72, and 168 hours, in the concentration c2 (6.32 . 10_s moUl) after 24; 48, and 72 hours, and in the concentration c3 (6.32 . 10-$ mol/l) after 12; 24, and 48 hours. In the suspension Culture, the fiavonoid production was significantly increased by the concentration ci (6.32 . 10_a moUl) after 12 and 72 hours, the concentration c2 (6.32 . 10_s mo)n) after 12; 24; 48, and 72 hours, and the concentration c3 (6.32 . 10-$ moUl) after 12; 24; 48, and 72 hours. The maximal increase in the fiavonoid production by 98 % took place in the callus Culture after elicitation with a chromium trichloride in the concentration c3 (6.32 . 10-$ moUl) after 48 hours of administration, and in the suspension Culture after elicitation with CrC13 in the concentration c2 (6.32 . 10_s mo)n) after 12 hours by 100 %.

        Key words: Ononis arvensis - fiavonoids - elicitation - heavy metals