ABSTRACT
Cell suspension cultures are rapidly dividing suspensions of cells grown in liquid medium. In general, suspension cultures grow more rapidly than callus cultured on agar and are more amenable to experimental manipulation. However, by selecting and subculturing for several generations, a fine cell suspension culture consisting of a dispersion of single cells and small cell aggregates can be established and maintained. The time required to initiate and establish a cell suspension culture depends on the species of plant and the growth medium. However, in general, dicot species are easier to establish in cell suspension culture than monocot species. Actively dividing fine cell suspensions can be selected for at the early stages of culture initiation by filtering to remove the larger aggregates. By repeated filtering and subculturing, the culture can be reduced to a suspension of small aggregates and free floating single cells.
