Tissue culture lab and hardening area

Tissue culture lab and hardening area

 Production of plants from very small plant parts, tissues or cells grown aseptically in a test tube or other plastic container where the environment and nutrition can be easily controlled. The methods used in this technique are collectively known as “tissue culture” a term that is sometime used synonymously with micro propagation. Tissue culture procedure involves an “in vitro” system of production that requires a laboratory type facility and aseptic techniques similar to those used in culturing fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms. This is a latest technique in propagation of plants, to multiply plants in large numbers within a short period with a minimum stock of mother plant material. It is advisable to have tissue Culture lab in a commercial nursery with a hardening area adjacent to lab duly shaded by green shade nets etc.

Propagation structures: These are structures with temperature control, ample light and humidity, where seeds can be germinated or cuttings rooted. These structures are known as greenhouse or hotbed. The second unit is a structure into which the young tender plants can be moved for hardening, preparatory to transplanting outdoors.

Greenhouses: There are several types of greenhouses which can be fabricated. Frame work of a greenhouses can be fabricated with wooden poles and flats, tubular steel or aluminum frames. Brick walls and frames can be covered with fiber glass panels etc. Green house can be cooled mechanically in the summer by use of exhaust fans at one end and cooling pads on the other end. Inside the greenhouse benches may be erected, beds may be laid as such in greenhouse, and mist irrigation system/ drip irrigation system as desirable.

Propagation frames: Small light weight frames of reed; metal even bamboos etc. are fabricated and covered with polythene sheets. These can be easily shifted from one place to another. Frames should be of any size varying 2-5 meter in length 2-3 meter wide and 1-3 meter high at center of any other convenient size. In these frames generally propagation is done in containers/ propagation pans. Humidity is created by manual spraying of water. These are best suited for the small nurseries.

Media for propagation: Various material and mixture of material are used for germinating seeds and rooting cuttings, besides soil, leaf mould, compost, sand, peat, moss, coco peat, wormi-compost, sphagnum moss, vermiculite, perlite, synthetic plastic aggregates may be used.