Question

Describe the tissue culture technique in plants.

Answer 1

Plant tissue culture is the technique of invitro maintaining and growing cells, tissues, organs, etc. and their differentiation on artificial medium inside suitable containers under aseptic conditions.

Complete Answer:
The plant part which is used in tissue culture is known as explant. There are three basic requirements for the tissue culture in higher plants:
1. Proper nutrient medium- It may be liquid, semi-solid or solid. The semi-solid and solid media are prepared by heating the nutrient solution that contains less than 1% agar or gelatin. The nutrient solution contains 2-4% sugar, vitamins, mineral and growth regulators. Instead of the growth regulators, organic complexes like coconut milk, banana pulp or yeast extract can also be used.

2. Aseptic conditions- All types of apparatus, including containers, forceps, needles and the nutrient medium are sterilized in an autoclave for 15-30 minutes. Inoculation chamber is disinfected with UV rays. Explant is disinfected with antimicrobial chemicals. Common disinfectants are dilute hydrochloride, Clorox water and methiolate.

3. Aeration: In liquid medium culture, air is provided through Filter Paper Bridge. Shaking or passing of sterilized air.

4. Cellular totipotency, shoot tip culture, multiple shoot production, somatic embryogenesis, haploid culture, embryo culture, protoplast technology are the different methods of tissue culture in plants.
- Tissue culture technique was first thought by Haberlandt and Hanning, The first successful experiment was carried out by White. White, Nobecourt and Gautheret independently then perfected the techniques of tissue culture. They were able to develop callus.

Note: The practical applications of plant tissue culture are mainly based on the ability of plant cells to give rise to complete plantlets. The use of plant cells to generate useful products constitute plant biotechnology.