Question

To get a disease-free plant from a virus infected plant, which one of the following can be used as an explant in tissue culture?

• A. floral buds
• B. shoot apical meristem
• C. medullary rays
• D. parenchyma from pith

Hint:

In tissue culture, the shoot apical meristem is a reliable explant for regenerating virus-free plants because it is less likely to carry viral infections.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the question.
The question asks which part of a virus-infected plant can be used to obtain a disease-free plant through tissue culture.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) floral buds: Floral buds are not ideal for eliminating viruses as they can carry the infection.
(B) shoot apical meristem: Correct — The shoot apical meristem is often free from viral infection and is commonly used for tissue culture to regenerate a disease-free plant.
(C) medullary rays: Medullary rays are part of the plant's vascular system and are not typically used in tissue culture for virus-free plants.
(D) parenchyma from pith: Parenchyma from the pith may still carry the virus, making it unsuitable for virus-free regeneration.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B) shoot apical meristem, as this part of the plant is generally free from virus infection and is ideal for tissue culture.