Micro Propagation (T5)

Question 1

What is Micro Propagation?

Answer 1

A technique that allows thousands of plants to be formed rapidly.

Question 2

Describe the process of Micro Propagation..

Answer 2

• the tips of the stems and side shoots are removed from the plant to be clones. These removed parts are calls ‘explants’
• the explants are trimmed to 0.5-1 mm and placed in a agar medium containing nutrients and plant hormones to enable growth
• more explants can be taken from the new shoots that form on the original ones
• explants with shoots are transferred to another culture containing a different balance of plat hormones to induce root formation
• when the explants have grown roots they are planted in compost and transferred to a greenhouse where they undergo normal growing conditions
• the greenhouse atmosphere is kept moist to reduce water loss from the plants

Question 3

What are the advantages of micro propagation?

Answer 3

• a large quantity of genetically identical plants can be produced very quickly
• species which are difficult to produce from seeds or cuttings can be produced
• plants can be produced all year round
• a large quantity of plants can be stored
• genetic modifications can be introduced to many plants rapidly