AGROSAVIA expanded the registry of its laboratories for the micropropagation of selected seed

Mosquera, Cundinamarca. September 14, 2023. In an important step towards improving plant production in Colombia, AGROSAVIA's network of plant production laboratories at the Research Centers Tibaitatá, Palmira, La Suiza, and Turipaná received the extension of the ICA Resolution (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario [Colombian Agricultural Institute]), which supports and guarantees the quality of plant material production processes in these laboratories. This resolution is delivered in recognition of the technical and scientific capacities of AGROSAVIA's staff and its infrastructure, document management, and traceability of its processes.

Thanks to this achievement, the network of laboratories expanded its portfolio of species of agronomic importance to producers, seed producers, and entities interested in obtaining selected, high-quality seed. This marks a significant milestone in Colombian agriculture and promises to benefit a wide range of production systems.

One of the key questions is, what plant species are included in this expansion to propagate using in vitro technology? AGROSAVIA already has a registry of selected seed producers covering various plant species. However, the expansion of this registry through Resolution 00006125 of May 31, 2023, has allowed the inclusion of the micropropagation of new species of fruit trees, citrus fruits, roots, and tubers with high agricultural impact and economic interest, such as blueberry, potato, pineapple, cassava, fique, blackberry, and Cape gooseberry, among others.

The direct impact of this expansion on agricultural producers is undeniable. AGROSAVIA, through the Network of Plant Production Laboratories, is confirmed as a scientific entity of strategic support for farmers, being their first ally in obtaining selected seeds. This favors a wide range of production systems and allows the establishment of quality crops, essential for developing small and medium farmers.

Micropropagation is a biotechnological technique that allows the large-scale in vitro production of plant species of economic importance. From a mother plant selected in the field for its high production, yield, genetics, and health quality, a large number of daughter seedlings or clones can be multiplied and produced, which retain the same characteristics of the mother. Micropropagation allows us to obtain quality planting material continuously throughout the year in less time and space for delivery to our farmers and seed producers.

The in vitro technique is executed under strict asepsis protocols. For this, AGROSAVIA has implemented the ISO/IEC 17025 standard in its laboratories, which guarantees the traceability of the process and optimal results. In addition, different stages must be met, such as the standardization and verification of the material production methodology and monitoring of the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of each plant of interest. An important point is that this process is subject to follow-up audits by ICA as the regulatory entity in the country.

The work team of the Network of Plant Production Laboratories expanded the ICA Resolution thanks to the work they carry out aimed at the production of quality planting material through in vitro technology for the Colombian countryside. This achievement will benefit farmers and contribute to the sustainable development of the country's agricultural sector.