Thin Cell Layer Tissue Culture Technology with Emphasis on Tree Species

Abstract

An increased dependency on plant-based resources for food, shelter, and medicinal usage has increased their sustainable and unsustainable exploitation. To use this resource sustainably, plant tissue culture (PTC) is one important technology. Among different PTC techniques, thin cell layer (TCL) technology is a relatively simple and easily adaptable technique for in vitro cultures of plants. This technique uses small explants about 0.5–2 mm in thickness excised from different plant organs. It has been successfully used in the large-scale propagation of vegetables, legumes, and plants with medicinal benefits. TCL technology has proven to be effective in stimulating various organogenic responses when combined with various new methods such as nanotechnology or microtome-based explantation, especially in tree species. It is considered an important tool in plant biotechnology. Although the morphogenetic response per explant is usually higher in conventional explants, the appropriate use of plant growth regulators and geometric factors in TCL has the potential to make it more efficient and beneficial. This article provides an overview of the concept of TCL as applied to different plant species, particularly trees, since there are few, if any, summaries of TCL technology, especially in trees. This review will certainly revitalize this important technology so that it can be used effectively for successful mass propagation in the field of plant tissue culture.