Micropropagation is a method of rapidly multiplying stock plant material to produce many progeny plants using modern plant tissue culture methods.
What are the main stages of micropropagation?
The main stages are: 1) Establishment, 2) Multiplication, 3) Rooting or pre-plant stage, 4) Acclimatization.
Why is sterile technique important in micropropagation?
Sterile technique is crucial in micropropagation to prevent contamination and ensure the growth of healthy plant tissues.
How does micropropagation benefit agriculture?
Micropropagation allows for the rapid production of disease-free, high-quality, and genetically identical crops, enhancing agricultural productivity.
What is the role of plant growth regulators in micropropagation?
Plant growth regulators control cell division and elongation, differentiation, and development of plant tissues in micropropagation.
What types of cultures are used in micropropagation?
Types of cultures include callus culture, cell suspension culture, meristem culture, and organ culture.
What is the 'conditioning' step in micropropagation?
Conditioning involves gradually adapting plants to outdoor conditions post-culture, often using a greenhouse environment.
Why is micropropagation used for endangered species?
Micropropagation is used to conserve endangered species by producing large quantities of plants for reintroduction without extracting from already stressed wild populations.
What are the limitations of micropropagation?
Limitations include high initial costs, the necessity for technical expertise, and potential for somaclonal variation in plants.
What is somaclonal variation?
Somaclonal variation refers to genetic variation observed among progeny plants produced through plant tissue culture.
How do micropropagated plants differ from traditionally propagated plants?
Micropropagated plants are genetically identical to the parent plant and are grown in lab-controlled environments, unlike traditionally propagated plants which can vary genetically.
What is meristem culture and why is it important?
Meristem culture involves culturing the plant's meristematic tissue and is significant for producing virus-free plants.
What types of plants are commonly micropropagated?
Plants that are commonly micropropagated include orchids, bananas, strawberries, and ornamental plants.
How do culture media components affect micropropagation?
Culture media components such as nutrients, vitamins, and growth regulators crucially influence cell growth and differentiation.
What environmental factors are controlled during micropropagation?
Key environmental factors include light intensity, temperature, humidity, and atmospheric composition.