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Synthetic seed production of medicinal plants: a review on influence of explants, encapsulation agent and matrix

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Abstract

The present review illustrates the implementation of synthetic seed technology for mass propagation and short-term storage of several medicinal plants, popularly grown throughout the world. Biotechnology-based research with special reference to in vitro plant cell and tissue culture intervention created a new outlook in terms of mass propagation, germplasm storage and cryoconservation, production of secondary metabolites as well as genetic transformation. Synthetic seed technology involving alginate encapsulation of in vitro or in vivo generated explants proved to be a competent system to deal with multiplication, storage and exchange of seedless medicinal plants having traits of choice that are intricate to propagate via conventional approach. Nevertheless, optimization of production, storage and exchange of synthetic seeds are influenced by several factors. Manipulation of those factors such as explant selection, encapsulating agent and matrix determined the success of synthetic seed technology in medicinal plants. The present review elucidates an outline of past progress, present status and future prospects of synthetic seed technology intervention in medicinal plants with special emphasis on the factors which determine the success of this technology.

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Abbreviations

AB:

Axillary bud

Ca:

Calli

CS:

Cell suspension

HR:

Hairy root

MSt:

Microshoot

NS:

Nodal segment

PGR:

Plant growth regulator

PLB:

Protocorm-like body

SE:

Somatic embryo

ST:

Shoot tip

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Acknowledgments

Authors acknowledge the library assistance from the Faculty Centre for Integrated Rural Development and Management, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University.

Conflict of interest

We, the authors of this article, declare that there is not conflict of interest and we do not have any financial gain from it.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sasya Shyamala Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Arapanch, Sonarpur, Kolkata, 700150, India

    Saikat Gantait & Narayan Chandra Sahu

  2. Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty Centre for Integrated Rural Development and Management, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Narendrapur, Kolkata, 700103, India

    Suprabuddha Kundu & Nasim Ali

Authors
  1. Saikat Gantait
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  2. Suprabuddha Kundu
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  3. Nasim Ali
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  4. Narayan Chandra Sahu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Saikat Gantait.

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Communicated by A. K. Kononowicz.

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Gantait, S., Kundu, S., Ali, N. et al. Synthetic seed production of medicinal plants: a review on influence of explants, encapsulation agent and matrix. Acta Physiol Plant 37, 98 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-015-1847-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-015-1847-2

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