AgBiotech Propagation/Production Methods

AgBiotech researchers utilize specific propagation and production techniques to advance development of new plant genetics.

Overview

AgBiotech scientists are tasked with the discovery and development of resilient, scalable new crop varieties to help secure global food supplies and enable innovative new plant-based products. At Oasis Grower Solutions, our substrates and production aids are helping AgBiotech researchers address the challenges facing the world’s most important crops.

Cuttings, Vegetative

AgBiotech research scientists may use vegetative cuttings for clonal propagation to ensure genetically identical plants for experimentation and testing, and to accelerate breeding programs. Cuttings from transgenic or genetically modified plants ensure edited traits are carried forward. In lab and production environments, open-cell foam engineered substrates conducive to overhead or sub-irrigation approaches allow for treatments to be added and washed.

Seed

AgBiotech research requires good stand establishment with consistent conditions to help seeds germinate — potentially in media that can be sanitized, sterilized or chemically treated. Open-cell engineered substrates assist in seedling establishment and provide greater control in adding or removing treatments during research and development. Singulated or separable foam plugs allow for sampling and selections, then transplanting and advancement of new crops.

Tissue Culture (Stage III)

Tissue culture of transgenic or genetically modified plantlets yields fragile young plants for establishment into controlled environment growth conditions for early characterization and sampling. Transfer of fragile plants into pre-dibbled sterile foam substrates precedes eventual transplant into peat or hydroponic production environments. Production aids simplify nutrition and revitalize transplant substrates to improve full rooting access in production containers.

Tissue Culture (Other Methods)

In addition to micropropagation Stage III, AgBiotech research discovers and develops plants through several other common tissue culture methods:

Doubled Haploids: From microspores or gynogenesis, fixed inbreds are formed in the first generation from gametes that have undergone chromosome doubling and embryogenesis.
Embryo Rescue: Abortive embryos from wide crosses or immature embryos in early ripening fruits are saved to continue development in vitro and progress to viable plants.
Somatic Embryogenesis, Organogenesis and Regeneration: Embryos arise on tissue surfaces, or intermediate callus differentiates into shoot meristems, allowing for transformation progeny with novel traits.
Synthetic Seed: Encapsulated somatic embryos or shoot nodes, held in suspended growth, are always tender when growth is resumed. Growth in controlled environments is an essential step before field planting for further study.

As these fragile fruits of micropropagation mature, waiting substrates must be sterilized for lab conditions. Engineered foam substrates can be sanitized or sterilized chemically or physically without breaking down or altering the physical structure. Pre-dibbled substrates support damage-free transfer of tender materials into a substrate environment.