Characterization of gelling agents in callus inducing media: Physical properties and their effect on callus development

In plant tissue culture, callus formation serves as a crucial mechanism for regenerating entire plants, enabling the differentiation of diverse tissues. Researchers have extensively studied the influence of media composition, particularly plant growth regulators, on callus behavior. However, the impact of the physical properties of the media, a well-established factor in mammalian cell studies, has received limited attention in the context of plant tissue culture. Previous research has highlighted the significance of gelling agents in affecting callus growth and differentiation, with agar, Phytagel, and Gelrite being the most used options. Despite their widespread use, a comprehensive comparison of their physical properties and their subsequent effects on callus behavior remains lacking. Our study seeks to bridge this gap by providing a thorough analysis of the physical properties of these gelling agents and their influence on callus induction and differentiation, offering valuable insights for researchers seeking to optimize plant tissue culture media for diverse applications. HighlightStudying the impact of gelling agents: Comprehensive analysis reveals how the physical properties of the growing media alters plant callus phenotype and differentiation in tissue culture.