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(shoot-tip culture) The culture of excised meristems on suitable nutrient media under aseptic conditions. The stem apex is usually used though axillary meristems may also be taken. Often gibberellic acid must be added to the medium to promote normal growth into a plantlet. Once a suitable medium has been found for the regeneration of plantlets, the technique can be used as a means of rapid propagation since the plantlets can be divided at intervals into segments that can be grown on individually. Meristem culture may be used to propagate infertile plants, nursery stock, or F1 hybrids that do not breed true. As few virus diseases affect the plant apex, the technique can be used to produce virus-free stock.
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