What are Anther and Microspore Cultures? Anther culture is a technique where the developing anther that contains microspores is cut aseptically from unopened flower buds and then cultured on the nutrient medium for the purpose of generating haploid plants. Microspore or pollen culture is an in-vitro technique where the pollen grains at the uni-nucleated stage are isolated by squeezing from an intact anther and then cultured on a nutrient medium. Both the anther and pollen or microspore cultures are widely used for haploid production for crop improvement. Micropropagation It is the vegetative propagation (multiplication) of the plant under ... Read More

What is Synthetic Seed Technology? Synthetic seed technology is a plant biotechnology technique that involves the production of artificial seeds from plant embryos. The process of producing synthetic seeds involves encapsulating a somatic embryo or shoot-tip culture in a protective coating. The protective coating is composed of a mixture of gelling agents, nutrients, and growth regulators that promote the growth and development of the plant embryo. Synthetic seeds offer several advantages over conventional seeds. They are easier to handle, transport, and store. They can also be used for planting in areas with adverse environmental conditions, such as drought-prone regions ... Read More

Introduction Genetic transformation is an essential tool in the field of plant biotechnology that allows the introduction of desired traits into plants. Plant transformation vectors are genetic tools that enable the transfer of foreign genes into plant cells. These vectors act as vehicles to carry the desired genes into the plant genome, where they can be stably integrated and expressed. Below we shall investigate an overview of plant transformation vectors, their components, and their use in plant biotechnology. Plant Transformation Vectors-Their Components Plant transformation vectors are circular DNA molecules that can be introduced into plant cells using various techniques ... Read More

Insight into Transgenics Transgenics, the genetic modification of organisms by the introduction of foreign DNA, has become an important tool in biotechnology. It has been used to produce transgenic animals, plants, and microorganisms, for a range of applications from the development of pharmaceuticals and vaccines to the production of crops with enhanced traits. However, the use of transgenics raises significant ethical and biosafety issues, which must be addressed to ensure that its use is safe, responsible, and socially acceptable. The content below provides an overview of the ethical and biosafety issues associated with transgenics, including the risks and benefits, ... Read More

Introduction Transgenic crops are genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that have been altered in a laboratory setting to possess specific agronomic traits. Agronomic traits refer to the various characteristics that crops exhibit such as resistance to pests and diseases, increased yield, and tolerance to abiotic stress such as drought and salinity. Transgenic crops have been engineered to exhibit these traits by introducing genes from other organisms, which can confer these traits onto the crops. Transgenic crops have been a topic of much debate and controversy, with proponents arguing that they can help address the world's food security challenges, while opponents ... Read More

Introduction Transgenic organisms, also known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), are organisms that have had their DNA artificially altered by the insertion of foreign genes. These modifications can be made for a variety of purposes, such as improving crop yields, increasing disease resistance, or producing new medicines. While there are many potential benefits to transgenic organisms, there are also concerns about their safety and potential impact on the environment. As a result, there is a growing need for reliable methods of transgene detection. In this tutorial, we will explore the various techniques used to detect transgenes, including their strengths ... Read More

Introduction Protoplast fusion is a technique used in genetic engineering, plant breeding, and plant biotechnology. It involves the fusion of two plant protoplasts, or cells that have had their cell walls removed, to create a hybrid plant. Protoplast fusion has been used to create new plant varieties with desirable traits, such as disease resistance, improved yields, and increased nutritional value. Let’s discuss the methods and mechanisms of protoplast fusion. Protoplast Methods of Protoplast Fusion There are several methods of protoplast fusion, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common methods are electrofusion, chemical fusion, and viral fusion. ... Read More

Introduction Plant tissue culture is a widely used technique in the production of secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites are organic compounds that are not essential for the survival of the plant but play important roles in plant defence mechanisms, as well as in the treatment of diseases in humans. Secondary metabolites can be classified into several groups such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds, among others. Plant tissue culture is a technique that involves the in vitro growth of plant cells, tissues, or organs under controlled conditions. This technique has been widely used in the production of secondary metabolites ... Read More

Introduction Plant transformation is the process of introducing foreign genes or genetic material into the genome of a plant, resulting in a genetically modified organism (GMO). It is a powerful tool that has revolutionized the field of plant biotechnology, allowing scientists to develop crops that are resistant to pests and diseases, have higher yields, and are able to grow in adverse environmental conditions. Discussed below are the various methods of plant transformations widely used. Agrobacterium - Mediated Transformation Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is the most widely used method for plant transformation. It involves the use of a soil bacterium called Agrobacterium ... Read More

Introduction Somatic hybridization is a recent innovation in plant breeding that overcomes these limitations. Somatic hybridization is the fusion of two somatic cells from different plant species to produce a hybrid. In this process, the two parent plants are not crossed sexually; instead, their somatic cells are fused in vitro to produce a hybrid plant. Somatic hybridization is a powerful tool in plant breeding because it can be used to combine desirable traits from different plant species that are not sexually compatible. Below we shall explore the major aspects of somatic hybridization, including its history, mechanisms, applications, advantages, and ... Read More