Question

Name the tissue culture technique used to grow non-viable inter-specific hybrids.
A) Androgenic haploids
B) Shoot tip culture
C) Somatic embryogenesis
D) Embryo rescue

Answer 1

Hint Embryo culture involves isolating an immature or mature zygotic embryo aseptically and growing on an aseptic nutrient medium to obtain a viable plant. It is an in vitro technique whose purpose is to promote the development of an immature or weak embryo into a viable part.
Complete Step-by-step answer:

Embryo rescue has been widely used for growing plants in which failure of endosperm to develop causes embryo abortion. In embryo rescue procedures, the artificial nutrient medium serves as a substitute for the endosperm, thereby allowing the embryo to continue its development. To obtain progeny from intraspecific hybridizations embryo rescue techniques have been utilized that do not generally form viable seeds.
Depending on the organ cultured, embryo rescue may be referred to as embryo, ovule, or ovary culture. embryo culture is the generally used embryo rescue plan in which embryos are excised and kept directly in a culture medium. Embryos are difficult to excise when they are young or from small-seeded species. To stop harming embryos throughout the excision process, they are occasionally cultured while still in the inner part of the ovule. This technique is called ovule culture or ovolo embryo culture. In ovary or pod culture, the entire ovary is placed into the culture.
Hence the correct answer is option D.
Note: Applications are overcoming embryo abortion due to incompatibility barriers, overcoming seed dormancy and self-sterility of seeds, embryo rescue in distant (interspecific or intergeneric) hybridization where endosperm development is poor, and shortening of the breeding cycle.