MicropropagationMicropropagation

“… the art and science of multiplying plants in vitro.”

“… the art and science of multiplying plants in vitro.”

CloneGenetically identical assemblage of individuals propagated entirely by vegetative means from a single plant.

CloneGenetically identical assemblage of individuals propagated entirely by vegetative means from a single plant.

ExplantCell, tissue or organ of a plant that is used to start in vitro cultures.

ExplantCell, tissue or organ of a plant that is used to start in vitro cultures.

Axillary shoot proliferationGrowth of axillary buds stimulated by cytokinin treatment; shoots arise mostly from pre-existing meristems.

Axillary shoot proliferationGrowth of axillary buds stimulated by cytokinin treatment; shoots arise mostly from pre-existing meristems.

Shoot proliferating culture of ‘Hally Jolivette’ cherryShoot proliferating culture of ‘Hally Jolivette’ cherry

Fungal contamination in rhododendron cultureFungal contamination in rhododendron culture

Rhododendron cultures in the lab of Herman Losely & Son Nursery, Perry, OHRhododendron cultures in the lab of Herman Losely & Son Nursery, Perry, OH

Amelanchier laevis transplants and field planting.Amelanchier laevis transplants and field planting.

Micropropagation

Advantages

Micropropagation

Advantages

• From one to many propagules rapidlyFrom one to many propagules rapidly

• Multiplication in controlled lab conditionsMultiplication in controlled lab conditions

• Continuous propagation year roundContinuous propagation year round

• Potential for disease-free propagulesPotential for disease-free propagules

Conventional Propagation

Advantages

Conventional Propagation

Advantages

• Equipment costs minimal Equipment costs minimal

• Experience can substitute for technical expertiseExperience can substitute for technical expertise

• Costs per unit are minimalCosts per unit are minimal

• Potential for disease-free propagulesPotential for disease-free propagules

• Specialized techniques for growth control (grafting Specialized techniques for growth control (grafting onto dwarfing rootstocks)onto dwarfing rootstocks)

Micropropagation

Limitations

Micropropagation

Limitations

• Equipment/facility intensive operationEquipment/facility intensive operation

• Technical expertise in management positionsTechnical expertise in management positions

• Protocols not optimized for all speciesProtocols not optimized for all species

• Liners may not fit industry standard Liners may not fit industry standard

• Propagules may be too expensivePropagules may be too expensive

Micropropagation

Applications

Micropropagation

Applications

• Rapid build up of stock of new, superior varietyRapid build up of stock of new, superior variety

• Elimination of endophytic diseaseElimination of endophytic disease

• Better suited to morphology/growth characteristics Better suited to morphology/growth characteristics (few offshoots/sprouts; date palms, ferns, nandinas)(few offshoots/sprouts; date palms, ferns, nandinas)

• Propagules have enhanced growth features Propagules have enhanced growth features (multibranched character; Ficus, Syngonium)(multibranched character; Ficus, Syngonium)

Shoot organogenesisAdventitious meristems differentiate on leaf, stem, or floral tissue.

Shoot organogenesisAdventitious meristems differentiate on leaf, stem, or floral tissue.

African violet culture started from leaf section.African violet culture started from leaf section.

Begonia x chiemanta ‘Emma’ at various stages in micropropagation.Begonia x chiemanta ‘Emma’ at various stages in micropropagation.

Somatic EmbryogenesisStimulation of callus or suspension cells to undergo a developmental pathway that mimics the development of the zygotic embryo.

Somatic EmbryogenesisStimulation of callus or suspension cells to undergo a developmental pathway that mimics the development of the zygotic embryo.

Somatic HybridizationFusion of protoplasts from different genotypes to bring about genetic recombination.

Somatic HybridizationFusion of protoplasts from different genotypes to bring about genetic recombination.

Somaclonal variationHeritable genetic variation that arises in plants produced through tissue culture.

Somaclonal variationHeritable genetic variation that arises in plants produced through tissue culture.

ChimeraPlant composed of two genotypes growing adjacent to one another in all (or part) of the plant body.

ChimeraPlant composed of two genotypes growing adjacent to one another in all (or part) of the plant body.

Inflorescence cultureThe inflorescence of many plants is a modified branching system. Vegetative meristems in the inflorescence may be stimulated to proliferate in vitro.

Inflorescence cultureThe inflorescence of many plants is a modified branching system. Vegetative meristems in the inflorescence may be stimulated to proliferate in vitro.

bractbract

flower budflower bud

pedunclepeduncle

axilaxil