The Role of Activated Carbon in Tissue Culture Medium

Tissue culture is an in-vitro technique for replicating a plant without introducing the degree of genetic variability inherent in sexual reproduction. Tissue culture has proven commercially important for the replication of ornamental varieties of house plants and is used extensively in research for applications in forestry. Activated carbon (AC) was initially added to tissue culture media in an attempt to simulate soil conditions: today it is routinely included in many tissue culture media formulations. The benefits of using activated carbon often include greater plant survival, greater plant growth, and improved plant quality and vigor. In some conifer tissue culture systems such as Douglas-fir, benefits include higher culture initiation rates and improved plantlet survival and vigor.