Insight View of Topical Trends on Synthetic Seeds of Rare and Endangered Plant Species and Its Future Prospects

Abstract

In the present era, global plant biodiversity is dilapidated annually at a pioneering rate. Preservation of plant genetic resources has been threatened by the safety with foremost problems by limiting its efficiency. Contemporary trends on synthetic seeds, i.e., artificially encapsulated somatic embryos, open up new avenue in agriculture. It is one of the most promising alternate tools for propagation of many rare and endangered plant species. Success of synthetic seeds endowed with its protective hydrogel coating by increasing the growth of micropropagule in the field conditions. Synthetic seeds are also helpful in stipulations of their role in preventing the spread of plant diseases, and it is a gifted path for scale-up of multi-clone production for commercial purpose. Synthetic seeds are more durable for handling, transportation, and storage. Presently, it is well documented that any kind of non-embryogenic explants from tissue culture can be used for synthetic seed production like shoot tips, axillary buds, nodal segments, protocorms, bulblets, section of callus, bipolar propagule, or unipolar propagule. Currently, significant focus has been given for synthetic seeds, as they are economical for conservation of germplasm, maintenance of the genetic uniformity of plants through clonal propagation, and direct deliverance to the field. Under this context, various effective protocols for preparing synthetic seeds and conservation of plants are developed. Accordingly, an appraisal on synthetic seed aspects of various endangered and rare plant species has been contemplated, and the same will be covered in this chapter.