Callus culture is a plant tissue culture technique used to
grow an undifferentiated, proliferating mass of cells that arise from explants
(tissues) of a plant. Callus cells are characterized by their ability to divide
and differentiate into various cell types, including roots, shoots, and somatic
embryos.
The process of callus culture begins with the selection of
explants, which can be obtained from various plant tissues, such as leaves,
stems, and roots. The explants are sterilized to eliminate any bacteria or
fungi that may be present on the surface. The sterilized explants are then
placed on a nutrient-rich medium containing plant growth regulators, such as
auxins and cytokinins.
Auxins, such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), are added to the medium to stimulate
cell division and promote the formation of callus. Cytokinins, such as kinetin
and benzyladenine (BA), are added to the medium to promote cell differentiation
and the formation of shoots and roots.
The explants are incubated in the culture medium under
controlled conditions, such as temperature, light, and humidity. After several
weeks, the callus cells will begin to divide and grow, forming a mass of cells
that can be subcultured onto fresh medium to maintain their growth.
Callus culture has many applications in plant biotechnology,
including the regeneration of whole plants, the production of secondary
metabolites, and the study of plant growth and development. Callus cells can be
induced to differentiate into specific cell types, such as roots, shoots, and
somatic embryos, which can be used to regenerate whole plants.
Callus culture is also used in the production of secondary
metabolites, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, which are important
compounds used in medicine, food, and other industries. Callus cells can be
induced to produce these compounds by altering the composition of the culture
medium and the growth conditions.
In addition, callus culture is used in the study of plant
growth and development. Callus cells can be manipulated to study the effects of
various hormones, growth regulators, and environmental factors on plant growth
and development.
Overall, callus culture is a powerful technique that has
many applications in plant biotechnology and is essential for the development
of new crop varieties and the conservation of endangered plant species.
Callus culture is a plant tissue culture technique used to
grow an undifferentiated, proliferating mass of cells that arise from explants
(tissues) of a plant. Callus cells are characterized by their ability to divide
and differentiate into various cell types, including roots, shoots, and somatic
embryos.
The process of callus culture begins with the selection of
explants, which can be obtained from various plant tissues, such as leaves,
stems, and roots. The explants are sterilized to eliminate any bacteria or
fungi that may be present on the surface. The sterilized explants are then
placed on a nutrient-rich medium containing plant growth regulators, such as
auxins and cytokinins.
Auxins, such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), are added to the medium to stimulate cell
division and promote the formation of callus. Cytokinins, such as kinetin and
benzyladenine (BA), are added to the medium to promote cell differentiation and
the formation of shoots and roots.
There are several different techniques used in callus culture,
including embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus culture. Embryogenic callus
culture is used to induce the formation of somatic embryos, which can be used
to regenerate whole plants. Non-embryogenic callus culture is used for the
production of secondary metabolites and the study of plant growth and
development.
Callus culture is a versatile technique that has many
applications in plant biotechnology, including the regeneration of whole
plants, the production of secondary metabolites, and the study of plant growth
and development. It is also used in the conservation of endangered plant
species and the development of new crop varieties.