Pathogen and biological contamination management in plant tissue culture: phytopathogens, vitro pathogens, and vitro pests.

The ability to establish and grow plant cell, organ, and tissue cultures has been widely exploited for basic and applied research, and for the commercial production of plants (micro-propagation). Regardless of whether the application is for research or commerce, it is essential that the cultures be established in vitro free of biological contamination and be maintained as aseptic cultures during manipulation, growth, and storage. The risks from microbial contamination are spurious experimental results due to the effects of latent contaminants or losses of valuable experimental or commercial cultures.

Pathogen and biological contamination management: the road ahead.

Multiplication of certified pathogen-free stock plants in vitro makes an important contribution to the production of disease-free planting material for vegetatively propagated crops. Meristem culture is extensively used to eliminate pathogens and contaminants from microbially contaminated plants prior to micropropagation. The approach to pathogen and contamination management differs.

Environmentally Induced Changes in the Cell Walls of Tomato Leaves in Relation to Cell and Protoplast Release.

Factors involved in the isolation of protoplasts from the leaves of tomato plants grown over a wide range of environmental conditions have been studied. Increases in calcium pectate in summer grown ("hard") plants are suggested as a barrier to cell wall degradation. A one-step method involving the addition of sodium citrate to pectinase plus cellulase gives high yield of protoplasts from hard plants.