BENEFITS OF IN-VITRO BIOTIZATION OF PLANT-TISSUE CULTURES WITH MICROBIAL INOCULANTS

In vitro coculture of plant tissue explants with beneficial microorgan isms induces developmental and metabolic changes in the derived plantl ets which enhance their tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. The induced resistance response caused by the inoculants is referred to as ''biotization.'' There is enough experimental evidence with bacteria (bacterization) and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (mycorrhization) i noculations to recommend utilization of this technology in commercial micropropagation. The paper reviews literature on this topic; outlines other uses and potential uses of in vitro plant-microbial cocultures. and discusses their current constraints.