Can you patent a technique for taking plant cuttings? M-real of Finland thinks so. It is claiming an international patent on the 鈥渄iscovery鈥 that root cuttings of the aspen tree Populus tremula, which is used for paper production, can be prepared from 鈥減ieces that are mechanically isolated from the root system of the mother plant鈥 (W0 02/03776). The patent describes how to make clones by leaving small trees in low light, cutting off all shoots and taking root cuttings. These are dosed with growth hormone, and left on paper for a couple of weeks. Some develop visible lumps of callus and these are selected and grown into plants.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Test moderators use AI-generated writing to judge literacy standards
News
Technology
We should decide how AI shapes the future, not tech firms
Comment
Technology
Quantum voting could make elections more secure
News
Technology
DeepMind AI gives an extra day of warning ahead of deadly cyclones
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles