| 摘要 |
Analogs of botanic seed are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a seed analog comprises a unit of totipotent plant tissue disposed relative to a unit of non-phytotoxic hydrated gel that is "oxygenated," i.e., has a concentration of molecular oxygen that is higher than a concentration of molecular oxygen that would otherwise be absorbed from the atmosphere by the hydrated gel at standard temperature and pressure. Gel oxygenation can be by exposure to a gas having an enriched concentration of molecular oxygen relative to the earth's atmosphere or by including in the hydrated gel an oxygencarrying or oxygen-absorbing compound such as a perfluorocarbon and/or silicone oil. An outer shell can be included that, with the hydrated gel, forms a capsule enclosing the unit of totipotent plant tissue. According to another embodiment, the seed analog includes a shoot restraint that is resistant to penetration by a growing shoot and/or cotyledons. In such seed analogs, the unit of totipotent plant tissue has a shoot end, and the restraint is disposed relative to the shoot so as to prevent, during germination of the totipotent plant tissue, entrapment of the shoot end in the seed analog. Also disclosed are corresponding methods for germinating totipotent plant tissue and for manufacturing seed analogs, all of which especially are useful for producing large numbers of genetically identical plants.
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