What are the general steps of plant tissue culture?
The general steps of plant tissue culture are as follows:
The first step involves selection of a suitable nutrient media and its sterilisation by autoclaving or passing through micropore filters. This is essential to avoid microbial contamination. The nutrient media contains inorganic and organic supplements, carbon source, plant growth hormones, vitamins, gelling agents, and antibiotics.
The second step is the selection of explants, which serve as the starting material for tissue culture. Any plant tissue, organ or part such as leaf, apical meristem, embryo, cotyledon, or hypocotyl can be used as an explant. These explants are then transferred onto the nutrient media.
Finally, the cultured tissues are maintained under aseptic conditions with controlled environmental conditions including light, temperature, and humidity. Whole plants can be regenerated through in vitro culture based on the principle of totipotency.
Explanation
The answer is derived directly from the textbook context which outlines the steps of plant tissue culture. The context explicitly mentions: (i) Selection of suitable nutrient media and sterilisation, (ii) Selection of explants as starting material, and maintenance under aseptic controlled conditions. The context also explains that explants are transferred onto nutrient media for regeneration of whole plants in vitro.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the steps mentioned in the context - nutrient media selection and sterilisation, explant selection, transfer to media, and maintenance under controlled conditions.
Step 2: Structure the answer in paragraphs covering each major step with key terms highlighted.
Step 3: Include the concept of totipotency as the basis for plant regeneration from explants.