What’s a Tissue Cultured Plant?

A tissue culture plant is a genetically identical copy of a plant that is produced through a process called tissue culture or micropropagation. In tissue culture, small pieces of plant tissue (such as leaves, stems, or roots) are taken from a parent plant and grown under sterile conditions in a laboratory. These tissues are then treated with hormones and nutrients to stimulate growth and development into new plants. Tissue culture plants are used in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry for mass production of disease-free, high-quality plants. They are also used in research and conservation efforts to preserve endangered plant species.