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Introduction
Agriculturally based food products are fundamental to human survival, serving as a cornerstone of nutrition and sustenance. The rapid increase in global population has intensified pressure on agricultural food systems, highlighting the crucial role of nutrition as a basic human requirement. Projections indicate that by 2050, food production must double compared to 2000 levels, while using the same amount of land and reducing water and other resource inputs1. Technological advancement is accelerating exponentially, with some forecasts predicting a 400 per cent increase in disruptive technologies over the next five years, making biotechnology a key industry to monitor2. Agricultural biotechnology encompasses plant tissue culture (PTC), applied microbiology, and applied molecular biology, all contributing to the production of crops with enhanced food, feed, fiber, and fuel qualities.
The concept of cell culture, first proposed by the German botanist Gotthilf Haberlandt in 1902, laid the groundwork for plant tissue culture (PTC), which has now become an integral tool in crop improvement programs3. Over the past decades, PTC technique has successfully evolved from a theoretical concept to widespread commercial application. This transition has led to remarkable growth within the industry, with PTC generating substantial revenues. This success is evidenced by the widespread adoption and implementation of PTC techniques in various agricultural sectors, leading to improved crop production and substantial economic benefits. For nearly four decades, various crops have been routinely propagated using tissue culture techniques and traded both domestically and internationally4. As a powerful method for mass production, PTC has become essential in the nursery and farming industry, driving the second green revolution in our country. This review article discusses the growth of the PTC industry in India, its impact on market demands, business potential, and the challenges it faces. Extensive global research in this field has significantly impacted agriculture and related industries, providing high-quality plants necessary to meet the escalating global demand.
Micropropagation, a tissue culture technique that enables the propagation of genetically identical plants under in vitro conditions, has been extensively utilized to meet the increasing demand for elite planting material in the current century. There is a substantial need for superior-quality, disease-free plants across ornamental, horticultural, floricultural, and agro-forestry sectors, which are critical components of agriculture5,6