Control of browning in Plant Tissue Culture: A Review

Abstract

Browning is one of the severe problems in plant tissue culture that hampers successful in vitro propagation of plants especially woody and perennial plants. In order to control the browning problem, different attempts have been made in vitro such as presoaking of explants in antioxidant solution, incorporation of antioxidants in to medium, culturing in the dark period and frequent subculturing of explants. Presoaking of explants in antioxidant solution like polyvinylpyrrolidone (PvP) and ascorbic acid (AC) is one of the most frequently used. Incorporation of antioxidants such as 0.2-0.5g/l PvP and 15-250mg/l ascorbic acid in to MS medium are commonly used to control browning in different plants and explants followed by activated charcoal, citrc acid, MES, and AIP. Moreover, frequent sub culturing and incubation of explants in the dark period is the other alternative. This review attempts to explore and provide comprehensive idea on the different methods used to control browning problem in plant tissue culture which need to be further optimized for successful control of browning when using the same or different crops as well as explants.