FFA Horticulture CDE General Practice Exam

Tissue culture is a method of:

1. Seed propagation

2. Vegetative propagation

3. Organic propagation

4. Asexual reproduction

The correct answer is: Seed propagation

Tissue culture is a method of asexual reproduction. This technique involves taking small sections of plant tissue, often from the meristematic regions (where growth occurs), and placing them in a sterile culture medium. The cells in this tissue can then multiply and develop into new plantlets, effectively cloning the parent plant. One of the key advantages of tissue culture is that it allows for the propagation of plants that may not produce viable seeds or are difficult to propagate by other methods. Since it bypasses the typical seed germination phase, it can also be used to rapidly produce large numbers of genetically identical plants, ensuring consistency in desirable traits. Unlike seed propagation, which relies on the seed's ability to germinate and grow into a new plant, or vegetative propagation, which involves rooting a part of the plant like cuttings or runners, tissue culture is specifically a technique of asexual reproduction. Through this method, the process of creating new plants is accelerated and can be meticulously controlled, making it an invaluable tool in horticulture and agricultural practices.