What are the benefits of callus culture?
Somatic embryogenesis (formation of embryos from somatic cells) and organogenesis (formation of organs from callus) are key processes in plant regeneration. Secondary Metabolite Production: Callus cultures can be used to produce valuable secondary metabolites, such as pharmaceuticals, flavors, and fragrances. Callus culture involves growing a piece of plant tissue (explant) in a nutrient medium under controlled conditions. This stimulates the explant to form a mass of undifferentiated cells called callus. Much like a plant stem cell, this callus has the potential to develop into a whole plant through plant regeneration.Plant tissue culture and molecular biology form the basis for genetic engineering. Plant tissue culture consists of pollen culture, callus tip culture, stem tip culture, meristem tip culture and protoplast fusion (Fig: 1).