Gewebezüchtung

Gewebezüchtung, also known as tissue culture, is a method of asexual plant propagation where small pieces of plant tissue are grown in a sterile laboratory environment on a nutrient medium. This technique allows for the rapid multiplication of plants, the production of disease-free plants, and the conservation of endangered species.

The process typically begins with the selection of a healthy parent plant. A small piece of tissue, called an explant, is carefully removed and surface sterilized to eliminate any microorganisms. The explant is then placed on a nutrient-rich agar medium containing plant hormones. These hormones, such as auxins and cytokinins, regulate cell division and differentiation, encouraging the explant to develop into a mass of undifferentiated cells called a callus.

From the callus, or directly from the explant, shoots and roots can be induced to form by adjusting the hormone balance in the medium. Once small plantlets have developed, they are transferred to a new medium to promote further growth. Finally, the plantlets are acclimatized to normal environmental conditions, such as reduced humidity and soil, before being transplanted into pots or the field.

Gewebezüchtung is widely used in agriculture for mass propagation of desirable varieties, in horticulture for producing ornamental plants, and in research for studying plant physiology and genetics. It offers a controlled and efficient way to produce a large number of genetically identical plants from a single parent.