Plant Tissue Culture Lab: A Confluence of Science and Agriculture

Plant Tissue Culture Lab is an important tool of modern agriculture, which provides high quality varieties of plants along with promoting crop production. This technology can be especially beneficial for Indian farmers, where maximum use of land and cultivation of diverse crops is important. In this article, we will give important information related to tissue culture lab, so that Indian farmers can take full advantage of this technology.

What is Plant Tissue Culture?

Plant tissue culture is a scientific process in which plant cells, tissues, or organs are grown in a controlled environment. This environment is a special nutritious medium and a clean place, where there is no effect of microbes. Through this method, we can increase the number of plants rapidly and also ensure their quality.

Utility of Plant Tissue Culture Lab: Technology that revolutionized agriculture

The use of plant tissue culture lab has become very important in the field of modern agriculture. This technology offers many unique advantages over traditional farming. This is especially beneficial for farmers who want to improve their crop yield, quality, and production rate. Let us know in detail why the utility of plant tissue culture lab is important.

1. Production of disease-resistant plants

In traditional agriculture, the crop is often damaged by diseases and pests. Through plant tissue culture, we can produce healthy and disease-resistant plants. This technique helps in preparing plant varieties that have natural resistance against particular harmful microbes and pests. For example, disease-resistant varieties of crops like banana and potato are being prepared through tissue culture on a large scale.

2. Rapid and large-scale production of plants

The biggest advantage of plant tissue culture is that it can produce a large amount of plants in a very short time. It takes a long time to grow plants in the traditional way, whereas millions of plants can be grown at the same time through tissue culture technique. It is ideal for large-scale production and is useful for crops that have high demand in the market.

3. Uniform and high-quality plants

Plants grown from tissue culture are uniform and of high quality. In traditional farming, the quality of plants depends on climate, soil, and other external factors, which can cause uneven growth of plants. But under tissue culture technology, plants are grown in a controlled environment, which makes all plants uniform and of high quality. In this way, farmers can get uniform yield, which increases their income.

4. Conservation of specific plant varieties

Many traditional and rare plant varieties in India are on the verge of extinction. Tissue culture labs can be helpful in preserving such varieties. Through this technology, the number of endangered or rare plants can be increased, and they can be secured for the future. It is an effective way to save the diversity of traditional plants, which is also helpful in preserving biodiversity.

5. Production in poor environmental conditions

Plant tissue culture technique can be used for crop production even in poor environmental conditions. Conditions like drought, extreme heat, or floods do not hinder the growth of plants grown from tissue culture. Plants produced from this technique can be grown in places where conditions are not ideal for farming. This helps to counter the effects of climate change.

6. Development of climate-friendly plants

Tissue culture technique can also be used to develop climate-friendly plant varieties. Scientists do research on plant varieties that can tolerate different climatic conditions. For example, to develop drought-resistant crops or salt-resistant plants. This technique helps farmers to keep agriculture profitable despite changes in the environment.

7. Improve crop biodiversity

Another important aspect of tissue culture is to improve crop biodiversity. This allows farmers to grow different varieties of the same crop, which may differ according to nutrition and market demand. It provides farmers with an opportunity to grow diverse crops and get a good price for them in the market.

8. Emergency plant production in times of crisis

During floods, droughts, or other natural calamities, there is a huge loss of crops. At such times, tissue culture technology helps in overcoming the crisis. This technology can quickly produce a new batch of plants in an emergency, which helps the farmer to compensate for his loss.

9. Cultivation of medicinal plants

There is a huge demand for medicinal plants in India, especially in the Ayurvedic industry. High quality medicinal plants can be cultivated through tissue culture. With this technique, medicinal plants can be produced in large quantities while maintaining their biological activity and effectiveness. This can be a profitable business option for small and large farmers. 

Examples of Plant Tissue Culture Labs in India

1. National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow (NBRI): This institute works on plant diversity and conservation. High quality varieties of plants are developed here.

2. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi (IARI): Tissue culture technology has been developed here for a variety of crops, especially in cereals and horticultural crops.

3. Biotechnology Labs, Maharashtra and Gujarat: Production has been improved by tissue culture of crops like banana and grapes here.

Government Assistance and Schemes: Measures to Promote Plant Tissue Culture for Farmers

The Government of India and various state governments are running several schemes and assistance programs to promote plant tissue culture. The aim of these schemes is to connect farmers with modern agricultural techniques, increase production, and make agriculture profitable. Let us know in detail what kind of government assistance is available.

1. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) aims to promote overall development in the agriculture sector and increase the income of farmers. Under this scheme, state governments provide assistance in setting up tissue culture labs and agro-technical research projects. The scheme gives financial assistance to farmers for training, research and adoption of modern agricultural practices.

• Benefits: Financial assistance and grants for setting up tissue culture labs.

• Training: Farmers are given training on the use of modern techniques and methods of plant protection.

2. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)

Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a public sector undertaking of the Government of India, which promotes innovation and entrepreneurship in the biotechnology sector. Under BIRAC, financial assistance is given to research and development in plant tissue culture techniques. It runs various projects to connect farmers with new technologies and make them profitable.

• Financial assistance: Subsidies and grants for setting up biotechnology laboratories.

• Training programmes: Creating synergy between scientists and farmers so that they can better understand new technologies.

3. National Horticulture Mission (NHM)

The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) aims to develop the horticulture sector and connect farmers with new technologies. Under this mission, tissue culture based plant production is promoted, especially for horticultural crops. Plants produced in tissue culture labs are made available to farmers at affordable rates.

• Benefits: Supply of improved and disease-resistant plants for horticultural crops.

• Assistance: Financial assistance and training programmes for setting up labs.

4. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

The MIDH scheme is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, aimed at integrated development in the horticulture sector. Under this scheme, grants are given to tissue culture laboratories so that they can produce high quality horticultural plants. The scheme focuses specifically on farmers who cultivate fruit, flower, and medicinal plants.

• Financial grants: For setting up tissue culture labs.

• Resource availability: Modern equipment and nutrient medium are made available to farmers at affordable rates.

5. Biotech Kisan Yojana

This scheme is specially designed to introduce farmers to biotechnology based techniques. Biotech Kisan Hubs have been set up under this scheme, where farmers are given information about plant tissue culture and other modern agricultural techniques. Farmers are helped to understand the nuances of plant production and disease management.

• Benefits: Free training and awareness programs.

• Technical support: Guidance from agricultural scientists and tissue culture experts. 

6. Startup India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives

Under the Startup India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, the government is promoting innovation in the agriculture sector. Subsidies and easy loan facilities are being provided to promote entrepreneurship in areas such as plant tissue culture. Through these schemes, farmers can set up their own tissue culture labs and also supply plants to other farmers.

• Assistance: Financial assistance and incentives for agricultural startups.

• Profitable ventures: Opportunities for farmers to increase income through entrepreneurship.

7. State government schemes

Different state governments are also running schemes at their level to promote tissue culture technology. For example, tissue culture labs are being promoted for horticultural crops in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Farmers in these states are facilitated with training, grants, and other resources.

• Scheme in Maharashtra: Setting up special tissue culture labs for crops like banana and grapes.

• Scheme in Gujarat: Supply of tissue culture based plants at affordable rates.

8. Initiative of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and ICAR

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) are also working to familiarize the farmers with tissue culture technology. These centers provide training, technical support, and measures to improve the quality of plants to the farmers. Along with this, dialogue between scientists and farmers is promoted so that technical knowledge can reach the fields directly.

• Training programs: Scientific procedures of plant tissue culture are taught to the farmers.

• Collaboration: Increasing contact between research institutes and farmers.

Process of Tissue Culture: Scientific way of micro production of plants

Tissue culture is a very precise and scientific process, in which the number of plants is increased on a large scale by growing the plant tissues in a controlled environment. This technique is very helpful in ensuring the quality of plants and making them free from diseases. The process of tissue culture involves several important steps, which must be completed carefully to achieve success. Let us understand each step in detail.

1. Sample Collection

The first step in the tissue culture process is to select tissue from a healthy part of the plant.

• Tissue Selection: Healthy, young, and fast-growing parts of the plant, such as new buds, leaves, stem tips, or roots, are selected. These parts are chosen because they have rapid cell division, making them suitable for tissue culture.

• Importance: Selecting the right tissue is extremely important for the success of the process. If the tissue is diseased, weak, or old, tissue culture may not be successful.

Example: In banana cultivation, farmers often select fresh parts of the stem as they are capable of rapid growth.

Sterilization

Sterilizing the tissue is the second important step in the tissue culture process.

• Procedure: The tissue is carefully washed in a disinfectant solution, such as 70% ethanol or 1% sodium hypochlorite is used. It is essential to make the tissue free from infection in this step, as the presence of bacteria or fungi can hamper the growth of the plants.

• Laboratory hygiene: After sterilizing the tissue, all the instruments and medium are also sterilized. The environment in the laboratory is kept completely clean so that there is no external infection.

Importance: If the tissue is not completely sterilized, the germs can destroy the plant, causing the entire experiment to fail.

3. Culturing

This step is where the tissue is placed in a special medium that is rich in nutrients.

• Culturing medium: The medium used for culturing is a special gel, often called ‘agar’. This medium is rich in micronutrients, vitamins, carbohydrates (such as sucrose), hormones (auxins and cytokinins), and essential minerals. All these elements are essential for plant growth.

• Culture method: The tissue is placed in this medium and kept in a controlled environment of light, temperature, and humidity. At this time the tissue begins to divide into new cells and regenerate the structure of the plant.

Importance: This stage provides nutrition and the right growth direction to the plant cells. The speed of plant growth and its development completely depend on this stage.

Growth in Laboratory

This is the last and most important stage, in which the tissue gradually starts to form a complete plant.

• Cell division: The plant tissue grows by dividing into cells and develops a small plant structure. This process can last from a few weeks to months, and the growth of the plant is carefully observed at every stage.

• Propagation and Plant Preparation: When a complete plant develops from the tissue, it is transferred to a new medium. During this time the plant develops roots, leaves, and stems. The plant is given the necessary nutrients and hormones to speed up its growth.

• Transfer to the Field: When the plant is fully grown and ready to survive in the external environment, it is transferred to the greenhouse or field. During transfer, the plant is gradually acclimatized to the external conditions so that it can grow without any problems.

Importance: This stage ensures that the plants are strong and healthy enough to be transferred to the fields and grow better there.

Tips for Indian Farmers

1. Get training: If you want to adopt tissue culture technology, then definitely get training from the concerned institutions.

2. Take advantage of government schemes: Take full advantage of the subsidies and schemes offered by the government by getting information about them.

3. Set up a lab: Farmers who have sufficient resources can think of setting up their own plant tissue culture lab.

Plant tissue culture lab is a great tool for Indian farmers to increase agricultural production. This technique not only improves the quality of crops but also produces disease-resistant varieties, which make agriculture more sustainable and profitable. Farmers should take advantage of government schemes and scientific training for its use so that they can be prepared for future agriculture.