Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Agribusiness Practice Test

What is tissue culture used for in agriculture?

1. Producing organic fertilizers

2. Developing plants from callus tissue

3. Improving soil health

4. Creating genetically modified animals

The correct answer is: Developing plants from callus tissue

Tissue culture is a technique used in agriculture to develop new plants from a small piece of plant tissue, such as callus tissue, which is an unorganized mass of cells. This method allows for the production of genetically identical plants, known as clones, under controlled laboratory conditions. Tissue culture is particularly valuable for propagating plant varieties that are hard to grow from seeds or cuttings, allowing for quicker multiplication of desired traits, such as disease resistance or high yield. Using callus tissue to initiate plant growth is essential because it can be induced from various parts of the plant and can eventually differentiate into roots and shoots, leading to the formation of whole new plants. This technique is commonly employed in the propagation of orchids, bananas, and many other plants, significantly impacting both commercial crop production and conservation efforts. The other options, while related to agriculture, do not accurately describe the role of tissue culture. Producing organic fertilizers, improving soil health, and creating genetically modified animals each pertain to different agricultural practices and goals, but they do not involve the specific application of tissue culture techniques.