Question

Suggest how a virus-free healthy plant can be obtained from a diseased sugarcane plant.

Hint:

Meristem culture is an effective method for obtaining virus-free plants by utilizing the virus-free apical meristem.

Answer 1

Step 1: Meristem Culture.
A virus-free healthy plant can be obtained by culturing the meristematic tissue of the diseased sugarcane plant. The meristematic tissues are usually free of viruses.
Step 2: Aseptic Conditions.
The meristem is carefully excised and placed in a sterile growth medium under controlled aseptic conditions to prevent contamination.
Step 3: Plant Regeneration.
The meristematic tissue grows into a shoot, which can then be transferred to the soil and grown into a full, virus-free plant.