Nanotechnology in plant tissue culture: A review

Abstract

Plant tissue culture represents an advanced biotechnological technique for propagating and conserving threatened plant species efficiently. This method enables the rapid production of genetically identical plants under controlled sterile laboratory conditions (in vitro). Its applications span forestry, horticulture, and, crucially, plant breeding. Nanoparticles have emerged as innovative tools to address limitations in conventional plant tissue culture, offering diverse functionalities based on their unique physicochemical properties. This review focuses on the utilization of nanotechnology in enhancing various aspects of plant tissue culture. Nanoparticles, such as silver and zinc oxide, have demonstrated significant roles as antimicrobial agents and anti-browning agents. They also serve as elicitors, stimulating callus proliferation, root elongation, rapid shoot formation, and the enhanced production of bioactive compounds on a large scale. Furthermore, nanoparticles contribute to mitigating oxidative stress within cells, thereby promoting increased callus formation, elongated roots, and elevated production of secondary metabolites. Their influence extends to somaclonal variation and genetic transformation processes within plant tissue culture. These contributions collectively underscore the potential of nanoparticles to foster more efficient, sustainable, and scalable biotechnological solutions in in vitro culture. The implications extend to reducing resource dependency and mitigating environmental impacts, positioning nanotechnology as a transformative approach in sustainable plant biotechnology.