Micropropagation in the Twenty-First Century

Abstract

Despite more than a century of research on effective biotechnological methods, micropropagation continues to be an important tool for the large-scale production of clonal plantlets of several important plant species that retain genetic fidelity and are pest-free. In some cases, micropropagation is the only technique that supports the maintenance and promotes the economic value of specific agricultural species. The micropropagation of plants solved many phytosanitary problems and allowed both the expansion and access to high-quality plants for growers from different countries and economic backgrounds, thereby effectively contributing to an agricultural expansion in this and the last century. The challenges for micropropagation in the twenty-first century include cost reduction, enhanced efficiency, developing new technologies, and combining micropropagation with other systems/propagation techniques such as microcuttings, hydroponics, and aeroponics. In this chapter, we discuss the actual uses of micropropagation in this century, its importance and limitations, and some possible techniques that can effectively increase its wider application by replacing certain conventional techniques and technologies.

Transcriptome Profiling Provides Molecular Insights into Auxin-Induced Adventitious Root Formation in Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. Interspecific Hybrids) Microshoots

“…In addition, micropropagation is increasingly used for accelerated adoption of new releases from most of the major sugarcane breeding programs globally. Micropropagation is widely used in horticulture, floriculture, forestry, and agriculture for the production of true-to-type, disease-free planting material [ 5 ]. Generally, shoots are produced from pathogen-free shoot meristems or shoot buds and multiplied under sterile in-vitro conditions, and they are rooted in vitro or ex vitro, depending on the species.…”

Shoot tip necrosis of in vitro plant cultures: a reappraisal of possible causes and solutions

“…To limit or prevent STN, an adequate level of BA and TDZ should be applied, while the application of mT and/or its derivatives may be beneficial. Broadly, altering the type or level of exogenously applied PGRs in plant in vitro cultures might not impact STN exclusively, but might also impact many mechanisms, while different genera or species might respond differently (Cardoso et al 2018). Auxins should not be used at excessive concentrations while ethylene production should be inhibited as much as possible.…”

In vitro culture and greenhouse acclimatization of Oncidium varicosum (Orchidaceae) with microorganisms isolated from its roots

“…Guimarães et al (2013) argued that the OMA medium is less expensive than any commercial medium used for asymbiotic culture, like Knudson C, for example. However, only this advantage may not be enough to justify the use of symbiotic culture for commercial orchid propagation as the culture medium is one of the least expensive components of a micropropagated plantlet (Chen, 2016) and the increase in labour (60%-75% of costs of a micropropagated plantlet) (Cardoso et al 2018) to perform symbiotic germination of orchids could represent an expansive and laborious technique. However, if symbiotic germination promotes increases of efficiency in seedling development, as proved for in vitro and ex vitro development of O. varicosum, the technique could be a realistic way to produce low-cost micropropagated plantlets.…”