Global Advanced Research Journal of Agricultural Science (GARJAS) ISSN: 2315-5094

December 2013 Special Anniversary Review Issue Vol. 2(12): pp. 307-314

Copyright © 2015 Global Advanced Research Journals

Review

Micropropagation as a tool for experimental breeding, crop production and crop improvement

¹Isah Bala Ismail*, ²Yahaya Mustapha and B.S.²Aliyu

¹Department of  Biological Sciences, Nigeria Police Academy Wudil, Kano, Nigeria.

²Department of Plant Biology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author’s E- mail: kutamasak@yahoo.com; Tel: +2347067371893.

Accepted 17 December, 2013

Abstract

Biotechnology is the discipline which deals with the use of living organisms or their products. In this wide sense, also traditional Agriculture may be seen as a form of Biotechnology. Modern biotechnological techniques have rapidly expanded the horizons of plant Experimental breeding and crop improvement. Conventional Experimental breeding techniques rely on the random rearrangement of existing gene between two closely related parent plants. Now, genetic engineering has opened up new possibilities by allowing the transfer of individual known genes, even from completely unrelated organisms such as fungi or bacteria. In recent years, Biotechnology has developed rapidly as a practical means for accelerating success in Plants experimental breeding and improving economically important crops. The most important methods used to achieve these goals are: Mass propagation of scientific clones, Production of pathogens free plants, Clonal propagation of parental stock for hybrid seed production, Year round nursery production and Germplasm preservation. This paper reviews the importance of micro-propagation as a tool in biotechnology used for Experimental breeding, crop improvement and production

Keywords: micro-propagation, Experimental breeding, crop production, crop improvement.