Plant Tissue Culture and Micropropagation: One year Post B.Sc. Diploma Course in ‘Plant Tissue Culture and Micropropagation’  was introduced in the Department of Botany, North Lakhimpur College, Assam from the session  2008-09.  The Course has been sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India under the Human Resource Development Programme for training technologists in life sciences and biotechnology.  The Course is conducted by the Department of Botany, North Lakhimpur College, Khelmati-787031, Assam, India”
         
DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY, NORTH LAKHIMPUR COLLEGE, ASSAM: The Department was established in 1966 for offering Botany as a core subject in science faculty of North Lakhimpur College, Assam. During the initial phase, a single room with a small laboratory was provided at the Arts Building of the College to run the Department. However, keeping in view of the increasing number of students and laboratory requirements, the Department was permanently shifted the present building during the month of September,1996. Major course in Botany was commenced from 1979. The students with Major in Botany from this institution has shown outstanding results with an all time record of as many as 100 First Class Graduates in the B.Sc. Final Examination of Dibrugarh University, Assam and also the students of this department has topped 9 times in Botany (Major) in the B.Sc.(Final) Examination till 2011. In the year 2009, Best Science graduate under Dibrugarh University was obtained by the student of Botany Department, North Lakhimpur College.  In addition to the normal course, the following Post B.Sc. Course / add on course with B.Sc. programme are running in the Department.

• One Year Career Oriented Certificate Course in “Herbal (Medicinal) Plantation” sponsored by UGC

• One year   Post B.Sc. Diploma Course in “Plant Tissue Culture and Micropropagation” Sponsored by DBT. DBT SPONSORED ONE YEAR POST B.SC.

DIPLOMA COURSE IN PLANT TISSUE CULTURE AND MICROPROPAGATION : One year Post B.Sc. Diploma Course in ‘Plant Tissue Culture and Micropropagation’ was introduced in theDepartment of Botany, North Lakhimpur College, Assam from the session  2008-09.  The Course has been sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India under the Human Resource Development Programme for training technologists in life sciences and biotechnology. Plant tissue culture is the aseptic (free from microorganism) culture of plant cells, tissue or organs on a culture medium under controlled environmental conditions. The techniques are utilized in the field of Biotechnology.  A wide range of plants have now been regenerated through technique of tissue culture. The technique is successfully used to conserve germplasm of rare and endangered plant species. It is providing an alternative source for commercial, horticultural and conventional medicinal trade. The Plant tissue culture has an important role for the commercial production of pathogen-free plants. Thus, Plant tissue culture research is a multi- dimensional science that offers exciting prospects to future improvements in crop productivity. Plant tissue culture is also an alternative method for production of useful and valuable secondary metabolites according to demand. Micropropagation is the rapid vegetative propagation of plants through tissue culture techniques. It allows the production of large numbers of plants from small pieces of a mother plant in relatively short periods of time. Practically, in micropropagation, depending on the species any part of a plant is induced to regenerate into complete plant under in vitro condition. The process offer several distinct advantages that are not possible with conventional propagation techniques. Some nurserymen have been introduced to the techniques and advantages of micropropagation. Again some firms have established their own tissue culture facilities and commercial scale operations for the mass productions of ornamental, horticultural and medicinal plants. With the increase in demand for tissue cultured plants, there is an increased demand for experts in plant tissue culture as well as micropropagation. To provide such an opportunity, the department of Botany, North Lakhimpur College, Assam has introduced the course on plant tissue culture and micropropagation with the financial assistance from the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.

Objectives of the course programme :

1. To make the students familiar with basic knowledge and understanding of various aspects of Plant Tissue culture.

2. To teach students the theories, principles and approaches to modern trends in life sciences and plant biotechnology

3. To help in adapting students to the needs of the tissue culture industry and to enhance their career prospects.

4. To train the students for further education and research.

5. To inspire students for research and development in Plant Biotechnology so that they can activate their hidden potential to enhance their knowledge and skills.

6. To raise awareness among public about the application of plant tissue culture and micropropagation of economically important plant species covering medicinal plants, ornamental plants, horticultural and plantation crops.

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