Tour Report: Visit to Seema Biotech Tissue Culture Lab and Nursery

Date of Visit: 27/12/2024

Venue: Seema Biotech, Talasande
Prepared by: Lt.S.M.Ghodake & Dr.K.A.Patil

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Objective of the Visit:

The primary objective of visiting Seema Biotech was to gain insights into the functioning and infrastructure of their tissue culture lab and nursery. The tour aimed to understand the advanced practices employed in tissue culture propagation, plant maintenance, and commercial operations in the field of biotechnology.

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Overview of Seema Biotech:

Seema Biotech is a leading institution specializing in plant tissue culture and nursery management. Renowned for its innovative techniques and high-quality plant production, the facility plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Key Highlights:

• Focus on micropropagation of plants.

• State-of-the-art laboratory equipment.

• Emphasis on research and development.

• A wide variety of plant species, including ornamental plants, fruit crops, and medicinal plants.

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Detailed Structure of the Institution:

1. Reception and Administrative Area:

The visit began at the reception area, where visitors were warmly welcomed. A brief introduction about Seema Biotech’s history, mission, and achievements was provided through a presentation.

2. Tissue Culture Laboratory:

The tissue culture lab was the highlight of the visit, showcasing advanced methodologies and precise environments required for plant propagation. Key features observed include:

• Sterilization Room:

  • Equipped with autoclaves and sterilizers to ensure contamination-free processes.

  • Explanation of sterilization protocols for media, tools, and equipment.

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• Media Preparation Room:

• Dedicated area for preparing culture media with nutrients and hormones.

• Demonstration of pH balancing, sterilization, and media pouring into culture vessels.

• Inoculation Room:

• High-efficiency laminar airflow cabinets for aseptic transfer of plant tissues.

• Observed techniques like explant preparation and transfer to culture media.

• Growth Rooms:

• Controlled environments with precise light, temperature, and humidity settings for optimal plant growth.

• Rows of shelves with culture vessels containing plantlets at various growth stages.

3. Nursery Area:

After acclimatization in the lab, plantlets are transferred to the nursery for further growth. The nursery features included:

• Hardening Unit:

• Structures with misting systems to acclimatize tissue-cultured plants to outdoor conditions.

• Observed the gradual transition process for plantlets.

• Open Nursery:

• Large areas with neatly arranged plants in polybags and containers.

• Varieties included ornamental plants, fruit trees, and medicinal plants.

4. Quality Control and Research:

The facility places significant emphasis on quality control and innovation. Researchers demonstrated how plants are monitored for genetic uniformity and disease resistance. Insights into ongoing R&D projects were shared, highlighting their contributions to sustainable agriculture.

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Learning Outcomes:

The visit provided a comprehensive understanding of tissue culture techniques and nursery management. Key takeaways include:

1. Importance of maintaining aseptic conditions in tissue culture processes.

2. Role of controlled environments in successful micropropagation.

3. Steps involved in acclimatizing plantlets before field transfer.

4. Insights into the commercialization of tissue culture plants.

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Conclusion:

The visit to Seema Biotech was highly educational and inspiring. The institution’s commitment to innovation and quality in plant biotechnology was evident throughout the tour. The insights gained will significantly contribute to understanding advanced agricultural biotechnology practices.

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