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Advances and Applications in Plant Tissue Culture—2nd Edition
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Advances and Applications in Plant Tissue Culture—2nd Edition

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Cell Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 10032

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alice Hayward

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Guest Editor
The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Interests: plant genetics; tissue culture; propagation; molecular physiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Chris M. O'Brien

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Guest Editor
The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Interests: tissue culture; propagation; cryopreservation; conservation; meristem
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Eveline Kong

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Guest Editor Assistant
The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Interests: plant tissue culture; plant biotechnology; plant physiology; somatic embryogenesis
Dr. Albert Chern Sun Wong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Interests: plant tissue culture; plant biotechnology; plant physiology; molecular biology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant tissue culture is a foundational tool that has facilitated core discoveries in plant biology as well as the application of biotechnologies for crop improvement. It is commonly used for mass-propagation of crops and more recently for innovating plants as bioreactors. Tissue culture is also central to the ex situ preservation of recalcitrant species that cannot be seed-banked. More and more, tissue culture technology is being innovated for difficult plant species including high value tree crops in order to support crop improvement, germplasm conservation and propagation for industry growth and sustainability. However, for many species, tissue culture remains a significant research and development bottleneck.

In this forthcoming Special Issue we aim to explore recent advances and applications of plant tissue culture. We welcome both critical reviews of literature as well as original research of either descriptive or applied nature. A wide range of topics will be considered including propagation, in vitro speed breeding, mutagenesis breeding, gene editing and transformation, cryopreservation, bioreactor innovations, protoplast and doubled haploid production and more. As the world faces increasing challenges for plant and crop production, new innovations in plant tissue culture will have an important role to play in supporting more sustainable, productive and closed-loop production systems.

Dr. Alice Hayward
Dr. Chris M. O'Brien
Guest Editors

Dr. Eveline Kong
Dr. Albert Chern Sun Wong
Guest Editor Assistants

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • plant cell culture
  • transcriptomics
  • genome/gene editing
  • cryopreservation
  • molecular breeding
  • CRISPR
  • RNAi

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 5912 KiB  
Article
5-AzaCytidine Promotes Somatic Embryogenesis of Taxodium Hybrid ‘Zhongshanshan’ by Regulating Redox Homeostasis
by Guoying Yuan, Dan Wang, Chaoguang Yu, Jianfeng Hua, Yunlong Yin and Tingting Chen
Plants 2025, 14(9), 1354; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14091354 - 30 Apr 2025
Viewed by 407
Abstract
DNA methylation plays a crucial role in regulating the developmental processes of plants. Particularly, it is closely associated with the development of embryogenic cells (EC) and somatic embryos (SE). In this study, we investigated the effects of 5-azaCytidine (5-azaC) treatment on somatic embryogenesis [...] Read more.
DNA methylation plays a crucial role in regulating the developmental processes of plants. Particularly, it is closely associated with the development of embryogenic cells (EC) and somatic embryos (SE). In this study, we investigated the effects of 5-azaCytidine (5-azaC) treatment on somatic embryogenesis proliferation and maturation of Taxodium hybrid ‘zhongshanshan’. The results showed that the callus proliferation was inhibited when the concentration of 5-azaC exceeded 30 μM, while treatment with 5 μM 5-azaC improved the maturation rate and expedited the process of SE formation. It was also noted that 5-azaC influenced somatic embryogenesis during the second week of embryo induction, substantially enhancing the maturation rate of somatic embryos and the germination rate of Taxodium hybrid ‘zhongshanshan’. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that treatment with 5-azaC resulted in elevated levels of H2O2, SOD, POD, and AsA during the cotyledonary embryo period in Taxodium hybrid ‘zhongshanshan’, indicating its potential to promote somatic embryogenesis by regulating redox homeostasis. This study concluded that 5-azaC could improve the efficiency of somatic embryogenesis in Taxodium hybrid ‘zhongshanshan’, as well as provide a solid foundation for investigating the effects of 5-azaC on somatic embryogenesis in other conifer species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Plant Tissue Culture—2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 2758 KiB  
Article
Photosynthetic Characterization of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Seedlings During Late In Vitro Development and Acclimatization
by Rodrigo Andrés Avila-Diazgranados, Wilmer Tezara and Hernán Mauricio Romero
Plants 2025, 14(9), 1299; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14091299 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 525
Abstract
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is the leading global oil-producing crop due to its high oil yield. Increasing global demands for palm oil require efficient propagation. Conventional breeding is practical but slow, making micropropagation an attractive alternative for rapidly multiplying superior genotypes. [...] Read more.
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is the leading global oil-producing crop due to its high oil yield. Increasing global demands for palm oil require efficient propagation. Conventional breeding is practical but slow, making micropropagation an attractive alternative for rapidly multiplying superior genotypes. However, transitioning from in vitro to ex vitro conditions causes physiological stress, restricting survival and productivity. This study assessed gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence dynamics during acclimatization from in vitro conditions to field establishment, comparing the seedlings obtained in vitro with conventional seed-derived palm seedlings to conventional seed-derived palms. A pronounced photosynthetic efficiency decline occurred after transfer from in vitro culture, followed by a gradual recovery. The photosynthetic rate (A) increased from 0.86 µmol m−2 s−1 early in acclimatization to 15.43 µmol m−2 s−1 in field-established seedlings. Physiological characterization using CO2 and light response curves identified the reductions in carboxylation efficiency and overall quantum yield CO2. These biochemical constraints gradually diminished during acclimatization, facilitating a transition from heterotrophic to autotrophic growth. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis revealed remarkable photoinhibition during initial ex vitro stages, indicated by a decreased maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II. However, the seedlings progressively restored photochemical function throughout subsequent acclimatization phases. These findings highlight the importance of carefully regulating environmental parameters—particularly irradiance, humidity, and carbon availability—during early seedling acclimatization. The effective management of growth conditions significantly mitigates physiological stress, ensuring robust photosynthetic activity and optimized stomatal regulation. The improved acclimatization practices, therefore, can substantially enhance seedling survival rates, physiological resilience, and the overall field performance of micropropagated oil palms. Future research should focus on refining acclimatization protocols, emphasizing targeted physiological interventions to maximize the efficiency, commercial viability, and sustainability of oil palm clonal propagation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Plant Tissue Culture—2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 4415 KiB  
Article
Advances Towards Ex Situ Conservation of Critically Endangered Rhodomyrtus psidioides (Myrtaceae)
by Lyndle K. Hardstaff, Bryn Funnekotter, Karen D. Sommerville, Catherine A. Offord and Ricardo L. Mancera
Plants 2025, 14(5), 699; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14050699 - 24 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1119
Abstract
Rhodomyrtus psidioides (G.Don) Benth. (Myrtaceae) is a critically endangered rainforest species from the east coast of Australia, where populations have severely and rapidly declined due to the effects of repeated myrtle rust infection. With very limited material available in the wild and freezing-sensitive [...] Read more.
Rhodomyrtus psidioides (G.Don) Benth. (Myrtaceae) is a critically endangered rainforest species from the east coast of Australia, where populations have severely and rapidly declined due to the effects of repeated myrtle rust infection. With very limited material available in the wild and freezing-sensitive seeds that have prevented storage in a seed bank, ex situ conservation of this exceptional species has proven difficult. Material from a seed orchard grown at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan was successfully used to initiate three new accessions into tissue culture from cuttings, and to undertake cryopreservation experiments using a droplet-vitrification (DV) protocol for both seeds and cultured shoot tips. Use of seedling material for tissue culture initiation was very effective, with a 94–100% success rate for semi-hardwood explants and a 50–62% success rate for softwood explants. Although no survival of seeds after cryopreservation was observed, seeds of R. psidioides showed some tolerance of desiccation and exposure to cryoprotective agents. Regeneration after cryopreservation using a DV protocol was demonstrated in only one shoot tip precultured on basal medium containing 0.4 M sucrose and incubated in PVS2 for 20 min prior to immersion in liquid nitrogen. These results demonstrate the value of living collections in botanic gardens for conservation research, highlight the importance of germplasm choice for tissue culture initiation, and demonstrate the potential of cryobiotechnologies for the ex situ conservation of exceptional plant species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Plant Tissue Culture—2nd Edition)
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Review

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35 pages, 2264 KiB  
Review
Development and Applications of Somatic Embryogenesis in Grapevine (Vitis spp.)
by Angela Carra, Akila Wijerathna-Yapa, Ranjith Pathirana and Francesco Carimi
Plants 2024, 13(22), 3131; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13223131 - 7 Nov 2024
Viewed by 2858
Abstract
Somatic embryogenesis (SE) provides alternative methodologies for the propagation of grapevine (Vitis spp.) cultivars, conservation of their germplasm resources, and crop improvement. In this review, the current state of knowledge regarding grapevine SE as applied to these technologies is presented, with a [...] Read more.
Somatic embryogenesis (SE) provides alternative methodologies for the propagation of grapevine (Vitis spp.) cultivars, conservation of their germplasm resources, and crop improvement. In this review, the current state of knowledge regarding grapevine SE as applied to these technologies is presented, with a focus on the benefits, challenges, and limitations of this method. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the different steps involved in the grapevine SE process, including callus induction, maintenance of embryogenic cultures, and the production of plantlets. Additionally, the review explores the development of high-health plant material through SE; the molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying SE, including the regulation of gene expression, hormone signaling pathways, and metabolic pathways; as well as its use in crop improvement programs. The review concludes by highlighting the future directions for grapevine SE research, including the development of new and improved protocols, the integration of SE with other plant tissue culture techniques, and the application of SE for the production of elite grapevine cultivars, for the conservation of endangered grapevine species as well as for cultivars with unique traits that are valuable for breeding programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Plant Tissue Culture—2nd Edition)
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24 pages, 1437 KiB  
Review
Tissue Culture Innovations for Propagation and Conservation of Myrteae—A Globally Important Myrtaceae Tribe
by Jingyin Bao, Billy O’Donohue, Karen D. Sommerville, Neena Mitter, Chris O’Brien and Alice Hayward
Plants 2024, 13(16), 2244; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13162244 - 13 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3493
Abstract
Myrteae is the most species-rich tribe in the Myrtaceae family, represented by a range of socioeconomically and ecologically significant species. Many of these species, including commercially relevant ones, have become increasingly threatened in the wild, and now require conservation actions. Tissue culture presents [...] Read more.
Myrteae is the most species-rich tribe in the Myrtaceae family, represented by a range of socioeconomically and ecologically significant species. Many of these species, including commercially relevant ones, have become increasingly threatened in the wild, and now require conservation actions. Tissue culture presents an appropriate in vitro tool to facilitate medium-term and long-term wild germplasm conservation, as well as for commercial propagation to maintain desirable traits of commercial cultivars. So far, tissue culture has not been extensively achieved for Myrteae. Here, tissue culture for Eugenia, one of the most species-rich genera in Myrteae, is reviewed, giving directions for other related Myrteae. This review also focuses on ex situ conservation of Australian Myrteae, including using seed banking and field banking. Despite some progress, challenges to conserve these species remain, mostly due to the increasing threats in the wild and limited research. Research into in vitro methods (tissue culture and cryopreservation) is paramount given that at least some of the species are ‘non-orthodox’. There is an urgent need to develop long-term in vitro conservation for capturing the remaining germplasm of threatened Myrteae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Plant Tissue Culture—2nd Edition)
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