Applications of Plant Tissue Culture for Crop Improvement and Biodiversity Conservation

Dear Colleagues,

The foundational principles of plant tissue culture trace back to the ground-breaking studies of Austrian botanist Gottlieb Haberlandt in 1902. Haberlandt's pioneering studies demonstrated that plant cells cultured in vitro could survive and grow, laying the groundwork for future research. However, significant advancements were made only in the mid-20^th century, largely due to the development of essential techniques and discoveries such as the role of plant hormones, the demonstration of somatic embryogenesis, and the development of basal culture media. Since then, the field of plant tissue culture has advanced significantly, enabling the in vivo regeneration of almost any plant species. The in vitro culture of plant cells and tissues also serves as an ideal model system for studying complex biological processes.

After more than a century of research, there is still strong interest in this area due to the critical role that robust in vitro plant regeneration protocols play in the application of advanced biotechnologies. Today, plant tissue culture remains integral to both basic and applied plant sciences. It is instrumental in genetic research, functional genomics, and the development of biotech crops. Recent advancements include the application of CRISPR/Cas9 for precise genome editing and the use of cell cultures to produce pharmaceutical compounds, cosmeceuticals, and biofuels. By enabling the rapid development and deployment of crop varieties adapted to changing environmental conditions, plant tissue culture stands at the forefront of sustainable agricultural practices and ecological restoration efforts.

This Special Issue explores the transformative role of plant tissue culture techniques in modern agriculture and biodiversity conservation, highlighting innovative applications of in vitro culture methods to enhance crop yield, quality, and resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses. It also covers fundamental studies using in vitro culture systems.

This Issue examines advancements in somatic embryogenesis, micropropagation, in vitro mutagenesis, and genetic transformation that facilitate the development of superior crop varieties. These advancements are essential in addressing the challenges posed by climate change in the coming years. Additionally, this Special Issue underscores the significance of plant tissue culture in conserving crop genetic resources and endangered plant species. By providing a platform for cutting-edge research on both commercial and underutilized crops, this Special Issue aims to foster a deeper understanding of how in vitro plant tissue culture can address global challenges in food security and biodiversity conservation, ultimately contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and ecological balance.

The topics covered in this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Micropropagation;
2. Somatic embryogenesis and its applications;
3. Genetic transformation and genome editing;
4. Disease resistance and pathogen-free plant production;
5. Abiotic stress resistance;
6. In vitro techniques for distant hybridization, polyploidy, and doubled haploids;
7. The conservation of endangered plant species;
8. Cryopreservation and long-term storage;
9. Habitat restoration and ecosystem rehabilitation;
10. The production of plant-derived food, fuel, medicine and cosmetic ingredients.

Dr. Ranjith Pathirana
Dr. Francesco Carimi
Dr. Angela Carra
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• plant tissue culture
• crop improvement
• biodiversity conservation
• somatic embryogenesis
• micropropagation
• in vitro mutagenesis
• genetic transformation