Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question requires matching specific plant tissue culture techniques with their most common and important applications in plant science and breeding.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
A. Embryo culture: This technique involves excising and growing immature embryos in vitro. It is primarily used for "embryo rescue" in wide crosses where the endosperm fails to develop, which would otherwise lead to embryo abortion. By rescuing the hybrid embryo, one can bypass years of backcrossing, thus III. Shortening of breeding cycle.
B. Meristem culture: The apical meristem of a plant is typically free from viruses even when the rest of the plant is infected. Culturing this meristem tip is the standard method for producing IV. Virus free plants.
C. Protoplast culture: Protoplasts (cells without walls) from different species can be fused together. This technique is called I. Somatic hybridization.
D. Anther culture: Anthers contain microspores (pollen), which are male gametophytes. Culturing anthers or isolated microspores leads to the development of haploid plants. This technique is used for the II. Production of haploids.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct matches are A-III, B-IV, C-I, and D-II.