Episode 43: Biolore: How plant tissue culture transformed Indian agriculture

The Biolore podcast series presents lesser-known stories from the history of biological sciences in India. This richly researched audio retrospect draws on expert insights, science archives, oral histories, literature reviews and field reportage. Biolore delves into foundational science, analyzing its lasting impact on humankind.

This episode of Biolore explores the science and history of plant tissue culture and its transformative impact on agriculture and forestry in India. It highlights key breakthroughs such as haploid culture, pioneered by Panchanan Maheshwari’s team at Delhi University, and micropropagation, which helped scale up plant breeding. The episode also delves into forestry applications, notably the revival of century-old teak trees at the National Chemical Laboratory Pune. Researchers discuss the commercial success of tissue-cultured bananas, the challenges of virus outbreaks, and the need for crop diversification. They talk about how plant tissue culture is reshaping farming, making crops more resilient and improving yields worldwide.

Host: Subhra Priyadarshini; Co-production: Sahana Ghosh; Sound editing and Biolore title music: Prince George; Biolore vocal: Sarah Hyder Iqbal

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