PLANT TISSUE CULTURE IN CROP IMPROVEMENT^©

Plant tissue culture, the art and science of growing an organelle, cell, tissue, or organ on a defined medium under controlled conditions in an aseptic environment, has come a long way since it was discovered over a century ago. The obvious advantages of extra-rapid multiplication while maintaining genetic uniformity and freedom from pathogens and pests brought this technique into the plant propagation industry after Morel successfully cultured orchids in vitro in 1960. Since then, thousands of plant species have been micropropagated and more of them, once thought recalcitrant, are being multiplied through this method. This article gives a brief history and description of the various techniques that are still relevant and beneficial, especially when used with conventional breeding and modern molecular methods.