Techniques: tissue culture and cuttings

• What are the stages of the plant tissue culture process shown in the diagram?

  • Tissue sample is scraped from parent plant.
  • Tissue sample is placed in agar growth medium containing nutrients and auxins.
  • Samples develop into tiny plantlets.
  • Plantlets planted into compost.
• What is plant tissue culture?

  Plant tissue culture:

  • A method of asexual plant propagation.
  • A small piece of plant tissue is used to grow a whole new plant.
  • The tissue is grown in a sterile environment on a nutrient-rich medium.
• What does plant cloning produce?

  Genetically identical copies of parent plants
• Why is plant cloning valuable?

  For rapidly propagating plants with desirable traits
• What is plant cloning?

  A form of asexual reproduction
• What develops from the tissue samples in the agar growth medium?

  Tiny plantlets
• How does tissue culture work in plant cloning?

  • A single tissue sample is taken from a parent plant
  • The sample is grown into multiple identical offspring
  • This process allows for rapid propagation of plants
• Why are tissue-cultured plants considered disease-free?

  They are grown in sterile environments
• What are the advantages of tissue culture in plant propagation?

  • Efficient propagation method
  • Produces many identical offspring
  • Allows for rapid multiplication from one parent plant
• What are the main steps in the plant tissue culture process?

  1. Tissue sample scraped from parent plant
  2. Tissue sample placed in agar growth medium containing nutrients and auxins
  3. Samples develop into tiny plantlets
  4. Plantlets planted into compost
• How does rapid propagation benefit florists?

  It allows quick production of many identical plants
• What are the main steps involved in the tissue culture process?

  1. Scrape tissue sample from parent plant under sterile conditions
  2. Transfer sample to sterile container with growth medium
  3. Cells divide and differentiate into tiny plantlets
  4. Transfer mature plantlets to compost to grow
• Where are the plantlets planted after they develop?

  Compost
• Why is the tissue sample placed in an agar growth medium?

  To provide nutrients and auxins for the tissue to grow
• Why is plant tissue culture an important technique?

  • Allows rapid propagation of plants from small tissue samples
  • Can produce genetically identical plants (clones)
  • Useful for conserving rare or endangered plant species
  • Enables production of disease-free, high-quality planting material
• What traits might be propagated through plant cloning?

  Disease resistance or specific flowering characteristics
• What is the first step in the plant tissue culture process?

  Tissue sample scraped from parent plant
• What is the purpose of the tiny plantlets that develop from the tissue samples?

  To be planted into compost and grow into full plants
• What is the final outcome of the tissue culture process?

  Full-sized plants are grown from plantlets
• What is a key advantage of tissue culture?

  Rapid propagation of identical plants
• What is tissue culture?

  A technique for growing plant parts
• Where is the initial tissue sample obtained from in the diagram?

  Parent plant
• What two things does the agar growth medium contain?

  Nutrients and auxins
• What is the overall benefit of optimizing these conditions for root development?

  Ensures healthy growth
• Why is indirect sunlight important for root development?

  It helps photosynthesis without overheating
• What humidity level is required to prevent drying out?

  70-80%
• What temperature range is optimal for root growth?

  20-25°C
• What are the environmental conditions for successful root development from cuttings?

  • Indirect sunlight
  • Temperature of 20-25°C
  • Humidity of 70-80%
• How do warmer temperatures affect root growth?

  They speed up root growth
• What are the tiny plantlets developed from tissue culture called?

  Plantlets
• What is the outcome of preparing cuttings correctly?

  • New plants will grow
  • Plants will be identical to parent
• What is the method of propagation that involves cutting a piece from a parent plant?

  Cuttings
• What role do fungicides play in cutting health?

  They control diseases affecting the cuttings
• How do the listed conditions optimize root formation?

  • Indirect sunlight aids photosynthesis
  • Optimal temperature accelerates growth
  • High humidity prevents dehydration
• How do cuttings differ from tissue culture in plant propagation?

  Cuttings involve direct growth without sterile conditions
• What type of fertilizing is recommended for cuttings?

  Light fertilizing with balanced liquid feed
• Why is ventilation important for cuttings?

  It circulates air and reduces mold growth
• What is a risk associated with tissue culture regarding contamination?

  Requires sterile conditions to prevent contamination
• How should you manage pests in cuttings?

  Check regularly and use appropriate treatments
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of tissue culture?

  Advantages:

  • Rapid propagation of identical plants
  • Disease-free plants grown in sterile environments
  • Conservation of rare species using small tissue samples

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • High cost of equipment and skilled technicians
  • Lack of genetic diversity makes plants vulnerable
  • Requires sterile conditions to avoid contamination