Australia: Tissue culture propagation to boost red bayberry and pomegranate industries

Faster propagation techniques could see the rise in commercial production of Australian pomegranates and red bayberries. A project is exploring the use of tissue culture propagation as a means of scaling up the two fruits which are not considered mainstream in Australia. Traditional propagation methods have long delayed the commercial potential of the pomegranate and red bayberry industries. An AgriFutures Australia Business Innovation Grant has supported the Innovative Propagation Technologies for New and Emerging Horticultural Crops project. Tissue culture involves propagating or multiplying plants in a jar, in a controlled lab environment using a nutritive medium. The process offers the potential to scale propagation in a short period of time with minimal materials, at any time of the year. Co-founder, director and chief scientist of J&S Plant Biotech Dr Jayeni Hiti-Bandaralage said tissue culture propagation results in a nicely rooted plant in a jar ready to send to nurseries. ...