Biotechnology

                    Earth resouces play a key role in survival of all living things on this plannet                                                                                      

,in the past few decades due to habitat destruction and unsustainable utilization of natural

resources many species including plants came under threat and their existence is now

into the hands of human beings. Arid lands of the world are facing seriuos problems

from scarcity of water, food, fodder, fuelwood and harsh environmental conditions.

Fortunately most of the natural plants of these areas are multipurpose and if they are

properly utilised they could resolve some of these issues to some extant. The

plants of the region are well adapted to desert conditions and consume less

water for the sustanance. This will also help in alleviating desertification threats

through fixation of sand, protection and improvement of the soil, amelioration of

climate and micro-environment and other conditions suitable for sustainable agriculture

Biotechnology has great potential of solving many problems pertaining to

agriculture, industry, environment and health which has direct relevance to sustainable

development of desert countries. Since the beginning of domestication and cultivation

of plants, human beings are looking for techniques that help to produce maximum

number of individuals from the minimum number / quantity of propagules. Tissue

culture is the ultimate finding of mankind enquiry towards mass multiplication of

plants using minimum quantity of propagules. Some of the advantages of this technique

are heterozygous materials may be perpetuated without much alteration, easier, faster,

dormancy problem eliminated and juvenile stage reduced. It is also a mean for

perpetuating clones that do not produce viable seeds or that do not produce seeds at all.