Artificial seed technology: A brief review

Abstract

Artificial seed/synthetic seed is defined as the encapsulation of micropropagules (somatic embryo, shoot buds /shoot tips, cell aggregates, calli, nodal segments, embryonic masses, protocorms) of a plant with specified coating material, in which the coating material acts as protection and nutrient provider to the encapsulated plant tissue, mainly preferred out covering material was calcium alginate gel which enhances the capsule formation and sufficient firmness to overcome mechanical injuries to the propagules. Nutrients, growth regulators, antibodies are incorporated into the covering material to comfort normal growth of plant propagules. It ensures the mass production of elite plant varieties. This are used for large scale multiplication of commercially valuable plants which are difficult to propagate with conventional breeding methods. It helps in the preservation of economically important plant species through cold storage and cryo preservation. This review aims to express the artificial seed production, various applications in fruit crops and limitations.