CIM: How does tissue culture technology (or micropropagation) work? What is the process?
CN: There are really three stages of micropropagation before the plantlets are ready for shipping: establishment, multiplication, and rooting and hardening aka acclimation. Establishment is the taking of disease-free and desirable plant tissue in sterile conditions. The material is sterilized and then a small portion of plant tissue is placed in a growth medium (plant food). Multiplication, as you would suspect, is the taking of tissue produced during the first stage and increasing their number. Through repeated cycles of taking cuttings and growing them in media, a single tissue source can be increased to hundreds and eventually thousands of plants. The next stage, "rooting & hardening" refers to the preparation of the plants for their eventual growth environment. Until this stage, the plantlets have been grown in conditions designed to encourage rapid growth. The plantlets need time to adjust to more natural environmental conditions. After this, the planets are ready to be shipped to their home.
CIM: Can tissue culture technology (or micropropagation) be used for other agriculture?
CN: Yes and it has been done around the world for some time. Tissue culture has been largely perfected for a variety of large-scale agronomic applications including multiple varieties of fruits, cash crops, spices, medicinal plants, ornamentals, and trees and bushes.
Email: [email protected]