Question

Explain the technique of callus culture.

Answer 1

A small, sterilised explant containing actively dividing cells is placed on a sterile, usually agar-gelled nutrient medium containing growth regulators, commonly an auxin such as 2,4-D and sometimes a cytokinin such as BAP. The cells divide and form an unorganised mass called a callus. Callus can be transferred to media with different hormone combinations to induce shoots and roots or somatic embryos, which develop into plantlets.