Bacteria-made Band-Aid for Plants

Context: A recent study published in Science Advances has highlighted the use of bacterial cellulose as a bandage for plants.

Key Findings of the Study

Faster Wound Healing in Plants

• Small cuts were made on the leaves of two lab plants.
• Bacterial cellulose patches were applied to only half of the wounds.
• Healing Results:
  • Over 80% of the treated wounds healed within a week.
  • Less than 20% of the untreated wounds showed healing in the same period.
• Conclusion: Bacterial cellulose significantly accelerates plant wound healing.

Improved Vegetative Propagation

• Vegetative propagation is a common technique in agriculture used to grow genetically identical plants from cuttings.
• The study found that bacterial cellulose enhances this process, making it more efficient.

What is Bacterial Cellulose?

• A natural polymer produced by certain bacteria. It is widely used in human medicine, especially for wound healing.
• Now it is being explored for agricultural applications.

Potential Agricultural Applications

• Facilitating Grafting – Can help join plant tissues together more effectively.
• Preserving Cut Plant Material – Prevents dehydration and infection in cuttings.
• Growth Medium in Laboratories – Could serve as a substrate for plant tissue culture experiments.

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