Micropropagation, an Essential Tool in Modern Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Plant Breeding

Abstract

The classical methods of in vivo cloning often fall short of that required (too slow, too expensive, too difficult or even impossible) . For that reason the technology of micropropagation (cloning under sterile conditions) has become an important tool particularly in horticulture. Micropropagation made it possible to produce (regenerate) viable individuals of many plant species. So micropropagation developed into a commercial industry all over the world. In the last 15 years knowledge of micropropagation has grown quickly; this can be illustrated by the fact that in the Netherlands 80 commercial laboratories exist with a production of 100 million plants in 1992.

This article contains descriptions of the various cloning systems and their application in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and plant breeding. Particular attention will be paid to the advantages and disadvantages of the propagation systems and the possibilities to avoid genetic variation. Micropropagation enables genetic engineering, which would be impossible if methods for regeneration of cells and tissues into plants were not available. Special attention will be paid to the demands of customers, problems in tissue culture laboratories (economic, marketing and technical) and avoiding peaks in labour demand. A global survey of the world production will be given.