WANA (Oct 13) – Iran has emerged as one of the top five countries in plant tissue culture biotechnology, a breakthrough benefiting walnut and date palm cultivation.

 

Hassan Varshouchi, the technology’s pioneer in Iran, highlighted how it helps farmers rejuvenate old orchards with disease-free, high-yield saplings.

 

Varshouchi emphasized that Iran’s tissue culture sapling production relies on collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture for farmer training.

 

He expressed concerns about the lack of educational support hindering the sector’s potential. Despite challenges, Iran has successfully exported saplings to countries like India, Thailand, Iraq, Kuwait, and Indonesia.

 

Zero Mortality and Faster Growth: The Advantages of Tissue Culture

Salman Sayahi, a date palm grower from southern Iran, has been cultivating tissue-cultured date palms on 75 hectares of his 300-hectare farm since 1999 highlighted the benefits of tissue-cultured saplings, explaining that they are disease-free, have a 0% mortality rate, and start producing fruit within five to six years whereas traditional saplings often suffer from a 5-15% mortality rate and take longer to establish.

 

Sayahi noted that tissue-cultured palms produce high-quality dates, with each tree yielding between 150 and 200 kilograms of fruit annually, and some even reaching 300 kilograms. However, overloading the trees with such high yields can strain them, and is therefore not recommended.

 

Walnut Orchards Thrive with Tissue Culture Saplings

Mohammad Qaemian, a walnut orchard owner, shared his positive experience using tissue-cultured walnut saplings in the Haraz region, where temperatures can drop to -27°C.

 

These saplings have shown remarkable resilience to cold weather, producing high-quality walnuts despite harsh conditions. Qaemian noted that each tissue-cultured walnut tree yields between 2,000 and 2,500 nuts, characterized by a thin shell and excellent flavor.

 

Iran’s progress in plant tissue culture technology not only boosts domestic agriculture but also positions the country as a significant player in global agricultural innovation. However, experts emphasize that further education and support for farmers are essential to fully leverage the potential of this cutting-edge technology.