Riyadh: The National Center for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development (Estidamah) announced that its Tissue Culture Laboratory has successfully produced more than 73,000 plant seedlings in 2024. This achievement marks a significant step forward in advancing biotechnology to support sustainable agricultural practices.
According to Saudi Press Agency, tissue culture is recognized as one of the most advanced techniques in plant propagation. It involves cultivating small parts of plant cells or tissues in a controlled, nutrient-rich environment. This method enables the efficient and rapid production of uniform, disease-free seedlings while maintaining desirable genetic traits.
Estidamah has reported that this technique facilitated the propagation of several plant species, including 30,000 strawberry seedlings, 22,000 black mulberry seedlings, 20,000 Taif rose seedlings, 1,500 coffee seedlings, and 800 banana seedlings. This initiative is part of the center's strategy to expand the use of tissue culture technology in order to support food security and preserve plant biodiversity.
These efforts highlight Estidamah's commitment to applying the latest developments in research and development within the agricultural sector. The center aims to foster innovation in the production of high-quality seedlings, aligning with the Kingdom's goals for the agricultural sector.