Automated plant micropropagation: How to improve laboratory efficiency
- RAYPA Lab
- 5 min read
- Last updated: 07/05/2026
Table of Contents
Summary
Plant micropropagation makes it possible to multiply genetically identical specimens under controlled laboratory conditions. However, when the process is carried out manually, it can require considerable time, labor, and may involve contamination risks.
In this article, we analyze how automation — especially through the use of culture media preparators — helps improve efficiency, reproducibility, and safety in plant tissue culture laboratories.
What is in vitro plant micropropagation?
In vitro plant micropropagation is a method employed to clone complete plants asexually. From the explant of a plant, such as leaves, stems, roots or seeds, the chosen plant tissue is replicated and then cultivated in an artificial in vitro laboratory environment.
In this way, samples are no longer exposed to weather and pests, among other external elements, and aspects such as temperature, humidity or essential nutrients can be controlled. All the necessary resources to multiply plants using genetics, with uniform quality and free of diseases. Identical specimens to the sample plant from which the explant was taken.
There are two types of in vitro plant micropropagation methods usually used:
- Somatic embryogenesis: this technique allows the development of embryos from somatic cells, without the need for gamete fusion or fertilization.
- Organogenesis: starting from a bud, structures such as stems, roots, or flowers are generated, which in turn can produce new shoots.
Micropropagation stages
Let us recall the phases of a plant micropropagation process in order to highlight at which point we can use a media preparator and thus optimize the operational workflow in labs dedicated to plant tissue culture:
1. Selection
Prior to proceeding with micropropagation, it is imperative to select the plant to be replicated, generally for its active growth stage, its healthy and vigorous development, as well as its genotypic and phenotypic characteristics.
Once chosen, it should be placed in a laboratory or greenhouse nursery in a staggered manner, in a process that can last weeks or months, in order to achieve an aseptic and disease-free culture.
2. Sampling and culture
The explants are removed from the selected plant and disinfected to prevent microorganisms on the surface of the plant tissues from posing a problem in the subsequent stages of micropropagation. They are then placed in a previously sterilized culture medium.
At this stage, the media preparator serves its purpose by enabling the preparation, sterilization, cooling, and dispensing of the culture media in a single device, providing excellent batch-to-batch reproducibility. These tasks are usually carried out manually.
Having a media preparator will provide you with numerous benefits, including increased productivity, reduced costs, enhanced quality, increased availability of personnel for higher-value tasks, and most notably, the elimination of human errors and reduction of potential accidents.
3. Multiplication
Once placed within a controlled environment and nourished by a culture medium —generally composed of water, macroelements, microminerals, growth regulators, vitamins, sugar and a gelling agent—, the explants are expected to germinate within one to two weeks.
The shoots that have developed from the explants are then separated and placed in a new culture environment, which must be maintained under sterile conditions and with fresh medium, in order to encourage the growth of additional shoots. This operation is repeated until the desired number of plants is achieved.
This process is called subculture, and it allows the production of vitroplants—that is, plants that are genetically identical to the mother plant, obtained from tissues such as leaves, stems, roots, or even seeds.
4. Elongation and rooting
The newly developed sprouts are then subjected to additional subculture in suitable culture media, where they continue to grow and establish roots until they have developed an extensive root system and reach a suitable height to be transplanted into a greenhouse with an appropriate soil substrate for acclimatization. In order to prepare the new culture media, we can once again avail ourselves of the assistance of a media preparator.
Subsequently, the rooting process is carried out, which consists of applying, either in vitro or ex vitro, a rooting agent (of chemical or natural origin) with the aim of stimulating the growth of roots and shoots.
Auxins and/or gibberellins (GAs) are usually added: auxins promote root formation, while gibberellins promote seedling elongation.
These substances can be used individually or in combination, according to the established protocol.
5. Acclimatization and growth
Acclimatization is the process of allowing the plants to gradually adapt to outdoor conditions and to thrive in their natural environment.
Depending on the system used for rooting, in vitro or ex vitro, this phase can develop in different ways.
When rooting is carried out in vitro, the young plants must be subsequently transferred to greenhouses, since they require a controlled environment that favors their growth and adaptation.
However, if the ex vitro rooting method is employed, acclimatization occurs simultaneously, since the plants adapt directly to the conditions of the new environment during the development of their roots.
The aim of this stage is to produce plants ready for their final transplanting to the field, nursery, or greenhouse.
Advantages of Micropropagation
The utilization of in vitro plant culture offers several advantages. Just to remind some of them:
- Products with consistent quality
- Unlimited multiplication of plants
- Identical plants in all their characteristics (clones)
- Pesticide-free production
- GMO-free production
- Plants free of disease
- Exponential increase in production
- Rapid production without seasonal limitations
- Reduced time and space requirements
- Lower costs
- Long-term preservation of plant material
- Ease of exporting plants to other countries without quarantine restrictions.
Achieve better results with RAYPA culture media preparators
Undoubtedly, in vitro plant micropropagation is a technique that offers very good results at all levels. However, it can also present some drawbacks, especially when part of the process is carried out manually. In these cases, plant tissue laboratories may face problems such as contamination of samples or even labor accidents, with their consequent casualties and delays in production.
In order to avoid such adversities and to automate an important part of this process, RAYPA has developed the AE-MP and TLV-MP Series media preparators. A single equipment can perform five processes: preparation, sterilization, cooling, dispensing and automatic cleaning of the dispensing lines.
Thanks to RAYPA media preparators, you can achieve homogeneous media and safe handling due to their adjustable stirring, active cooling and strict safety measures. In this way, you can guarantee the quality of your products with excellent batch-to-batch reproducibility and avoid possible risks and accidents.
Want more information about RAYPA Media preparators?
Do not hesitate to contact us. We will help you choose the model that best fits your needs.
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