Abstract
Plant tissue culture (PTC) is one of the well-adapted and practiced biotechnology tools in Ethiopia. After the initial success of tissue culture at the Ethiopian Institute of Agriculture Research and Addis Ababa University, the technology spread its roots to most of the research institutes and universities across the country. Consequently, the technology continues to extend at the commercial level. However, there is a lack of information at the national level on the capacity of national institutes in terms of available infrastructure and skilled human power, the potential of the laboratories for tissue culture-related activities, and existing challenges that hinder tissue culture research and development. This study aimed to assess the status of tissue culture research and development in Ethiopia and identify gaps that hinder its application in various economic sectors. The primary data were collected from 19 tissue culture laboratories across the country using questionnaires and physical observation. Accordingly, the results of the study revealed that Jimma Agricultural Research Center from the federal research institute and Amhara Regional Agriculture Research Institute, Bahir Dar Laboratory, from the regional research institute are relatively well equipped with facilities and equipment for tissue culture R&D activities. Among the commercial laboratories, Tigray Biotechnology Center is well equipped and has the highest production capacity with 40 million seedlings per year. Besides, the assessment revealed that a total of 54 plant species have been under in vitro protocol optimization and development process across all PTC laboratories. Nevertheless, tissue culture application in public and private sectors in Ethiopia is limited by several technical, administrative, and financial constraints. Therefore, to exploit the maximum benefit of PTC technology in the existing facilities, further intervention is critical in solving the identified challenges.
Highlights
Plant tissue culture (PTC) techniques are the most frequently used biotechnology tools ranging from basic to applied investigation purposes in plant sciences. e history of PTC research dates back to 1902, when Haberlandt cultured tissue from a Tradescantia plant species [1]
Commercial tissue culture was started in Ethiopia in 2006 when Tigray Biotechnology Center (TBC), Private Limited Company (PLC) was established as the first private PTC laboratory. en the remarkable development and startup of commercial laboratories followed in different parts of the country, such as Bahir Dar TC Enterprise, Waginos Biotech, and Dessie Tissue Culture Laboratory
In Ethiopia, tissue culture research and development is implemented through government institutes and private companies
Summary
Plant tissue culture (PTC) techniques are the most frequently used biotechnology tools ranging from basic to applied investigation purposes in plant sciences. e history of PTC research dates back to 1902, when Haberlandt cultured tissue from a Tradescantia plant species [1]. Plant tissue culture (PTC) techniques are the most frequently used biotechnology tools ranging from basic to applied investigation purposes in plant sciences. PTC has significantly impacted the current agriculture system worldwide and every year, hundreds of results and reports regarding the application of tissue culture techniques, applied to breeding programs, genetic and biodiversity conservation, and biopharmaceutical production are documented. Biotechnology tools like genetic transformation and gene editing rely on the technical aspects of PTC. Despite the huge potential of PTC in agriculture, its use and application in developing countries like Ethiopia are in its infancy. Commercial tissue culture was started in Ethiopia in 2006 when Tigray Biotechnology Center (TBC), PLC was established as the first private PTC laboratory. Erefore, this study was conducted to assess the current status, potential, and associated challenges of PTC research and development in Ethiopia There is a lack of information at the national level on the capacity of institutions in terms of available infrastructure and skilled human power, the potential of the laboratories for tissue culture related activities, and existing challenges that hinder tissue culture research and development. erefore, this study was conducted to assess the current status, potential, and associated challenges of PTC research and development in Ethiopia
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