Process for plant tissue culture propagation

Claim 2

A process for at least semi-automated plant tissue culture propagation comprising: providing plant tissue culture containing a large number of densely packed meristematic areas, automatically separating and thinning said tissue into small clusters of meristematic tissues, bulk transporting said separated tissue aseptically to a separating apparatus (12,13,14) wherein said tissue is washed and propagules of substantially uniform size and substantially free of phytotoxic cell debris are obtained, aseptically transporting the said propagules to a culture vessel (25) and distributing the propagules on the surface of a culture medium.

Claim 3

A process for plant tissue culture propagation according to claim 1, wherein the said separated tissue is aseptically bulk transported to a sieving apparatus (12,13,14) and sieved and washed to obtain propagules of substantially uniform size and substantially free of phytotoxic cell debris.

Claim 4

A process for plant tissue culture propagation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sieved propagules are aseptically transported to a culture vessel (25) provided with a screening element sized to retain propagules on the surface thereof and filled with culture medium to a level wherein the surface of the medium contacts the propagules, whereby the propagules are supported on the screening element with optimal contact with the culture medium.

Claim 5

A process for plant tissue culture propagation according to claim 1 comprising: a) providing plant tissue culture containing densely packed multi-meristematic tissue: b) automatically separating and thinning said tissue into small clusters of meristematic tissue; c) bulk transporting said separated tissue aseptically to a sieving apparatus (12,13,14) wherein said separated tissue is sieved and washed to obtain propagules of a predetermined size range and substantially free of phytotoxic cell debris; d) aseptically combining said sieved propagules with a liquid culture medium; e) dispersing said mixture into culture vessels (25, said vessels being provided with a screening element sized to enable the culture medium to pass therethrough while retaining the propagules on the surface thereof; f) filling said vessels to a level wherein the surface of the said medium contacts said propagules, whereby said propagules are supported on said screening element with optimal contact with the culture medium.

Claim 6

A process for plant tissue culture propagation according to claim 4, wherein said tissue is automatically separated and thinned into small clusters of meristematic tissue by introduction into a homogenizer.

Claim 7

A process for plant tissue culture propagation according to claim 4, wherein said individual and small clusters of meristematic tissue are diluted with a sterile aqueous medium to facilitate volumetric transportation and are then pumped to said sieving apparatus.

Claim 8

A process for plant tissue culture propagation according to claim 4, wherein said sieved and washed propagules are diluted with a sterile aqueous medium to facilitate volumetric transportation and are then pumped to a holding tank (19).

Claim 9

A process for plant tissue propagation according to claim 7, wherein the propagules in the holding tank (19) are aseptically combined with a liquid culture medium to form a uniform mixture.

Claim 10

A process for plant tissue culture propagation according to claim 8, wherein the liquid culture medium is an agar-based medium maintained in a liquid state by being held at a temperature of about 36 0 to 39 0 C.

Claim 11

A process for plant tissue culture propagation according to claim 4, wherein said propagules/medium mixture is volumetrically dispensed to the culture vessels (25) by being pumped to said vessels.