Question

Discuss how the property of plant cell totipotency has been utilised for plant propagation and improvement.

Answer 1

Introduction:

Totipotency is the ability of a plant cell to give rise to an entire new plant. Plant cells are totipotent cells. This ability of plants cells allows them to be utilised for plant propagation and improvement.

Significance of totipotency:

• Totipotent plant cells are used in micropropagation of plants.
• Micropropagation is a technique to grow, store, and maintain a large number of plants in small spaces.
• Micropropagation is useful in germplasm collection and the protection of endangered species.
• Micropropagation produces an improved variety of crop plants - disease resistant plants.