Question

Explain the importance of micro propogation and somatic hybridization.

Answer 1

Importance of micropropagation is that it can be used to produce disease-free plants. A greater number of plants can be produced per square meter and the propagules can be stored longer and in a smaller area.

Importance of somatic hybridization are symmetric hybrids can be produced between species, which cannot be hybridized sexually. These hybrids can be readily used in breeding programmes for transfer of useful genes to crops or may be useful as new species.