USE OF TISSUE CULTURE PROGRAMMES IN PROPAGATION AND CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES

Abstract

Micropropagation and related techniques are being used increasingly in Botanic Gardens, often with rare and endangered species. The role of Botanic Gardens in plant conservation, the advantages and disadvantages of in vitro techniques and the choice of species to be worked on will be discussed. The interaction of tissue culture programmes with other in situ and ex situ programmes (e.g. seed banks) and the urgent need to develop and ethical code for in vitro conservation are also considered.