Question

Virus free plants can be grown by : -

• A. Embryo culture
• B. Apical meristem culture
• C. Callus culture
• D. Organ culture

Hint:

Remember this key fact: The apical meristem is a "sanctuary" from viruses in an infected plant due to its rapid cell division and lack of vascular tissue. This makes it ideal for producing clean stock.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for a plant tissue culture technique specifically used to produce plants that are free from viral infections.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Even if a plant is systemically infected with a virus, the apical meristem (the growing tip of the shoot) is often free of the virus. There are two main reasons for this:
The rate of cell division in the meristem is very rapid, often outpacing the rate of viral replication and movement.
The apical meristem lacks a fully developed vascular system (xylem and phloem), which is the primary route for the long-distance transport of viruses throughout the plant.
Therefore, by excising this small region (the apical meristem, sometimes with a few leaf primordia, a technique called meristem tip culture) and growing it in vitro, it is possible to regenerate a whole plant that is genetically identical to the parent but completely free of the virus.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Apical meristem culture is the standard and most effective method for obtaining virus-free plants from an infected parent stock.