Synthetic seed-mediated synchronized multiplication under in vitro conditions: An efficient technique for conservation, multiplication and storage of medicinal plants

Abstract

The synthetic seed technology holds the potential for a commercial scale plant production which can be proven as an alternative source of producing plants without the help of true seeds. The synthetic seeds can be described as structures most commonly somatic embryo or explants of the cotyledonary stage covered with an artificial layer of sodium alginate. The germplasm conservation through alginate encapsulation is one of the most reliable techniques for conservation as it has the upper hand of using the clonal multiplication with the propagation of seed and storage. The most advantageous aspect of using synseeds is that they are the source of genetically identical plants without the effect of variations. Apart from it, this also provides handling ease, easy transportation with benefits of time, space and labour savings which results in overall economic cost. The potential application of synthetic seed technology through encapsulation of vegetative propagules has drawn enormous interest in recent years owing to its practical utility, not only for the germplasm conservation of clonal plants but also for quick growth of vegetative plants or non-seed generating plants at large scale. Successful utilization of synthetic seed technology as rapid mass propagation tool of choice for any specific plant system requires optimization of protocol for establishing an inexpensive, efficient and reproducible production system with high conversion percentage depicting complete plantlet formation in a single step without intervening sub-culturing for separate shoot/root formation. Synchronized developing propagules with the mechanization of the entire progression of sorting, picking, encapsulation and germination of the enclosed propagules are the basic necessity for commercialization of synseed technology at a large scale. For this, methods have to be standardized. The chapter specifically insight into the standardization of procedures and application of synseed technology in medicinal plants, namely, Stevia rebaudiana, Acorus calamus, Bacopa monnieri and Hypericum perforatum.