1. Miss Minix Tarleton State University
Plant Tissue Culture
Miss Minix
Tarleton State University

2. History 1965 French Botanist discovers Micropropagation
Virus-free orchid plant
Beginning of Tissue Culture

3. What is Tissue Culture? Asexual Propagation aka Micropropagation
Defined as:
Production of new plantlets from tissue of an actively growing plant

4. Why use tissue culture? Species with any of the following:
Regeneration problems
Poor germination
Desirable traits
Disease-resistance
High productivity
Gender of commercial importance
Male- Asparagus
Female- Papaya

5. Where is it used? Commercial Production Crop production Chrysanthemum
Gladiolus
Etc.
Crop production
Sugar cane
Tapioca
Potatoes

6. What is required? Very sanitary conditions
Usually a lab
Sterile aseptic culture or MEDIA containing:
Nutrients
Sugars
Vitamins
Hormones
Test tube
Plant tissue:
shoot tip, leaf section, meristem, node, etc.

7. The Procedure Prepare the media Sterilize everything including:
Tools
Supplies
Equipment
Work area
Place media in test tube
Remove tissue from plant

8. Procedure continued Sanitize tissue sample
Place tissue sample on media in test tube
Cap or seal test tube
Place in warm, well-lighted area
Plantlets should begin to form in 4-6 weeks

9. Tissue Culture Process
Tissue Removed
Start
Media
Plantlet
Callus

10. Advantages Disadvantages
Small part of plant is required
Produce many plantlets in small areas
Disease-free plants
Pest-resistant
Maintaining a sterile environment
Expensive lab facilities
Poor photosynthesis
Water loss

11. Guided Practice Group Activity:
Put the steps for tissue culture in order with your group.

12. Independent Practice What is another name for tissue culture?
Define tissue culture in your own words.
List one advantage and one disadvantage of tissue culture.
What four materials are required for the tissue culture process?