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can be defined
as:- growing plants from seed or small pieces of tissue under
sterile conditions in a laboratory on specially selected media.
This is performed in a carefully controlled environment. The
media that the plants are grown on contain a carbohydrate
source, a range of mineral salts and agar. Sometimes vitamins,
amino acids, growth regulators or plant extracts may be added
to encourage growth. Different media are used for different
plants.
Plant tissue culture and micropropagation techniques play
an important role in conservation programmes and management
of botanical collections. The Micropropagation Unit was set
up at Kew in 1974 to propagate plants that are rare, endangered
or difficult to grow conventionally. The techniques used include
in vitro (literally 'in glass') laboratory propagation
from vegetative material and germination of seeds and spores.
Expertise has been developed in growing over 3000 species
from around the world. These include many that have never
been studied before. Our knowledge can be put to good use
in helping with conservation of threatened species from unique
habitats and remote locations.
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