15 - Plant Cell Biotechnology

Abstract

This chapter focuses on plant cell biotechnology that is an increasingly expanding area of plant biotechnology. This chapter begins with a discussion on plant cell culture. Plant tissue culture refers to the culture of cells and plant organs such as roots, shoot tips, and leaves. Small scale cell culture requires basic laboratory apparatus. A laminar airflow is required to provide an aseptic environment for all culture manipulations because all plant tissue culture media can support the growth of many fast-growing bacteria and fungi that will destroy the slow-growing plant tissues. Even slow-growing contaminants can produce toxins which may affect plant cell growth. Components of typical plant tissue culture media include inorganic macronutrients, inorganic micronutrients, organic nitrogen sources, vitamins, carbon source, plant growth regulators, optional organic compound, antibiotics such as kanamycin, and a gelling agent. This chapter also explains the micropropagation technique in detail. The micropropagation technique is concerned with mass multiplication of plants in a glasshouse and is often associated with stem, root cuttings, etc., and a soil environment. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the commercial exploitation of plant biotechnology.