Plant Biotechnology

Plant Biotechnology Laboratory (PBL)
Agronomic Research Center (CIA), University of Costa Rica

Mission

To generate and transfer scientific and technological knowledge in plant biotechnology, contributing to the sustainable development of Costa Rican agriculture by strengthening innovation, productivity, and competitiveness within the agricultural sector.

The Plant Biotechnology Laboratory (PBL) of the Agronomic Research Center (CIA) began its activities in the late 1970s with the objective of producing disease-free seed material for root and tuber crops, as well as developing clonal propagation techniques for peach palm through tissue culture. Since the beginning, the generation and transfer of technology, together with the production of elite planting material, have driven its growth and consolidation as a national leader in biotechnology research and development.

Today, the PBL conducts research, teaching, and outreach activities in strategic areas including plant micropropagation, production of pathogen-free plant material, molecular characterization of crop varieties, phytopathological studies, and genetic improvement of agriculturally important crops, particularly potato and tropical root and tuber crops.

Research and Development Areas

Plant Micropropagation

The PBL has developed protocols for the micropropagation and acclimatization of numerous agricultural species, including root and tuber crops (tiquizque, yampí, yam, cassava, sweet potato, potato, ginger); fruit crops (plantain, banana, papaya, peach palm, blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, cape gooseberry, chayote, vanilla, citrus, avocado, and pineapple); as well as a wide range of ornamental and medicinal plants (petunias, orchids, ferns, gerberas, mint, echinacea, Psychotria, among others). These techniques enable the large-scale production of plants with high genetic and phytosanitary quality.

Plant shoots in in vitro culture inside test tubes with culture medium — Shoots in in vitro culture, in the tubes where they are multiplied.

Young plants growing inside a jar with culture medium — Plants grown in culture medium, ready to move to the greenhouse.

Plantlet with leaves and roots grown inside a culture jar — Plantlet established in vitro from an explant.

Production of Virus-Free Plants

The production of virus-free plants is one of the PBL’s highest-impact activities. Through in vitro meristem culture, healthy, high-quality planting material is generated for various tropical crops, contributing to improved productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems.

Production of Pre-Basic and Basic Seed Material

The PBL actively participates in the production of pre-basic and basic seed material for crops such as potato, tiquizque, yam, yampí, cassava, and ginger. These efforts provide growers with plant material of superior genetic potential, free from pests and diseases, thereby enhancing profitability and competitiveness within the agricultural sector.

Small plant in culture inside a glass container — Plant material in culture, the starting point for obtaining virus-free plants.

Trays with plantlets being acclimatized inside the greenhouse — Acclimatization: plants leave the jar and adapt to greenhouse conditions.

Rows of potato plants growing in a greenhouse — Greenhouse where plants produced in the laboratory yield pre-basic seed.

Phytopathological Studies

The PBL conducts research focused on the detection, identification, characterization, and management of diseases affecting crops of economic importance in Costa Rica. Major research areas include studies on Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of potato late blight; Ralstonia solanacearum, the bacterium responsible for bacterial wilt in potato; characterization of pathogens associated with dry rot disease in cocoyam; and investigations of Colletotrichum species affecting fruit crops such as papaya and mango, as well as ornamental plants such as Dracaena (formerly Sansevieria). These studies contribute to the development of disease management strategies and the identification of sources of genetic resistance.

Microscope image of rounded spores against a blue background — Microscope observation of pathogen structures.

Potato field in bloom, with mountains in the background — Potato plot in bloom, where materials are evaluated in the field.

Freshly harvested potato tubers lying on the furrow — Harvest of the plot: the outcome of material that came from the laboratory.

Technology Transfer

Knowledge and technology transfer to the productive sector is one of the fundamental pillars of the PBL. Activities include technical training programs, advisory services, workshops, field days, technical publications, and the distribution of high-quality planting material with certified phytosanitary standards.

Two people checking boxes with roots and tubers — Delivery of plant material to the productive sector.

Boxes with cocoyam, yam, sweet potato and other roots and tubers — Tropical roots and tubers the laboratory works with.

Light-skinned potato tubers, one of them cut in half — Tubers of the Irazú Gold potato variety.

Services

The Plant Biotechnology Laboratory offers specialized services in:

Development and optimization of plant micropropagation protocols.
Production of virus-free and pathogen-free plant material.
Molecular characterization of plant genetic resources.
Molecular diagnosis and analysis of plant pathogens.
Design and establishment of plant biotechnology laboratories.
Training in plant tissue culture and biotechnology techniques.
Technical consulting in seed production and agronomic management of potato, tropical root crops, and tuber crops.

Documents and links

Staff of the areaContact details for the team.