In plant biotechnology, who is widely regarded as the ‘‘father of tissue culture’’?

Introduction / Context:
Tissue culture is a crucial technique in modern plant biotechnology and horticulture. It involves growing plant cells, tissues or organs under sterile conditions on a nutrient culture medium. General science and agriculture-related exams often ask who is known as the ‘‘father of tissue culture’’, because this honours the scientist who first proposed and demonstrated the concept that plant cells can be cultured independently.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for the scientist recognized as the father of tissue culture. • Options include Gautheret, Haberlandt, Bonner and Laibach. • We focus on the historical development of plant tissue culture.

Concept / Approach:
Gottlieb Haberlandt, an Austrian botanist, is widely considered the father of plant tissue culture. In the early 20th century, he proposed that individual plant cells are totipotent, meaning each cell has the potential to develop into a complete plant under appropriate conditions. Although his initial experiments had limited success, his theoretical contribution formed the foundation for later successful tissue culture techniques developed by other scientists such as Gautheret and White.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that plant tissue culture is based on the concept of cellular totipotency. 2. Haberlandt was one of the first to articulate this concept and attempt in vitro culture of isolated plant cells. 3. Later researchers refined and improved the techniques, but the foundational idea came from Haberlandt. 4. Because of this pioneering conceptual work, he is honoured as the ‘‘father of tissue culture’’. 5. Gautheret, Bonner and Laibach also made important contributions but are not typically given this specific title. 6. Thus, the correct answer is ‘‘Haberlandt’’.
Verification / Alternative check:
Botany and biotechnology textbooks routinely mention Gottlieb Haberlandt as the father of plant tissue culture and cite his early publications as the starting point for the field. Later milestones in tissue culture, such as callus formation and micropropagation, built upon his initial insight that plant cells could, in principle, grow and differentiate outside the parent plant. This consistent recognition across sources confirms that Haberlandt is the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Gautheret, significantly advanced tissue culture methods and is sometimes called a pioneer of practical tissue culture, but he is not usually given the father's title. Option C, Bonner, and option D, Laibach, contributed to plant physiology and genetics respectively, yet they are not primarily identified with the origin of tissue culture as a concept. These names appear as important scientists but not as the foundational figure in this particular field.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse ‘‘father of tissue culture’’ with other honorary titles in botany, such as the father of genetics or the father of modern taxonomy. Another pitfall is focusing only on who perfected the technique rather than who first introduced the principle. To avoid confusion, remember that Haberlandt's idea of totipotency and early experiments make him the recognised father of plant tissue culture.

Final Answer:
The scientist widely regarded as the father of tissue culture is Haberlandt.