Micropropagation

• Production of a large no of vegetative progeny (initially very small size) through tissue culture is called micropropagation.

Objectives of micro propagation

a) Rapid multiplication (10³ to 9x 10⁴ in 52 weeks)

b) Virus elimination.

Steps of micropropagation

a) Selection of suitable explants

b) Sterilization

c) Transfer to nutrient medium for establishment

d) Proliferation of shoots from the explant on medium

e) Transfer of shoots to a rooting medium

f) Transfer of plants to soil

ADVANTAGES

• To get genetically uniform plants in large number
• Rapid multiplication of rare and elite genotypes
• Possible alternative in plants species which do not respond to conventional bulk propagation technique
• Useful to obtain virus free stocks
• Can be done all year round.

Problems encountered in micropropagation

a) Contamination of culture

b) Browning of medium

c) Hyperhydration