ABSTRACT
A wide range of plant organs has been successfully cultured. A protocol for maize ear culture is given as an example of the culture of an entire organ. The transformation results in altered hormone levels, causing the induction of roots and a root system that branches much more frequently than the usual root system of that plant, and is covered with a mass of tiny root hairs. A variety of media have been used for embryo culture. In the technique, embryos are isolated and grown on solid media as described above for embryo culture. Minitubers are produced in vitro by plantlets from meristem tip culture in sterile culture. Rooted cuttings are then used to generate minitubers small seed tubers, less than 3 cm in diameter in sterile media. The plants that produce the minitubers are tested extensively for major potato pathogens. Minitubers are stored in a controlled atmosphere until needed, when sprouting is induced.
