ABSTRACT
Recent advances in plant tissue, cell, and protoplast culture combined with genetic engineering have opened up new and exciting possibilities in propagation, gene manipulation, crop improvement, and germplasm conservation in many plant species. Micropropagation has been established as a sound commercial proposition, especially in ornamentals and plantation crops to produce nuclear stock free from pathogens and viruses. Technologies like anther, pollen, and protoplast culture will speed up the process of producing better varieties. All these developments have contributed to the acceptance of in vitro culture techniques as viable and valuable tools. In addition, the potential of in vitro conservation and cryopreservation to conserve genetic resources, plant varieties, cell lines, and pollen through the establishment of in vitro gene banks is becoming a reality. It is now possible to manipulate genetically cultured cells and tissues to produce improved plants and high-value substances.
