What is a primary advantage of tissue culture in greenhouse propagation?

• A. Disease-free plantlets.
• B. Lower initial investment.
• C. Rapid multiplication.
• D. No need for sterile conditions.

Answer: (C)

The main idea tested is how tissue culture enables fast expansion of plant numbers. In micropropagation, a tiny piece of plant tissue is placed in a nutrient, sterile medium with growth regulators. This setup triggers rapid proliferation of shoot and root tissues, so from one explant you get many plantlets. By repeating rounds and producing more than one cycle, you can generate thousands of uniform clones in a relatively short time, which is exactly what greenhouse propagation needs for quick scaling and consistent stock. While disease-free plantlets can be achieved if starting material is clean and sterile conditions are maintained, that outcome isn’t guaranteed and depends on sanitation and sourcing. Likewise, tissue culture requires specialized equipment and sterile technique, so it isn’t a case of lower upfront costs or no sterile requirements.