Hokkaido University Museum will hold its second Saturday Citizen Seminar of the 2026 academic year, titled "Vegetative Propagation of Plants and Virus-Free Technology."

[Seminar Content]

Many of the vegetables and fruits we eat are not grown from seeds, but rather propagated by "cloning," which involves separating a part of the parent plant. This is called "vegetative propagation," and while it allows for reproduction while maintaining excellent quality, it has a major weakness: if the parent plant becomes diseased, the virus is passed on to the offspring.

This seminar will cover everything from the basics of vegetative propagation to the process of "tissue culture," which involves growing plant cells in a sterile environment. In particular, we will focus on "virus-free" techniques for regenerating disease-free, healthy seedlings, and provide a detailed explanation of its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the latest initiatives that will support the future of agriculture.

Date and Time: Saturday, May 9, 2026, approximately 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Venue: Hokkaido University Museum 1st Floor Hall, "Exchange of Knowledge"

Lecturer: Professor Hanako Shimura, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University

Admission: Free. Capacity: Approximately 70 people.

Click here for more information. *You will be redirected to Hokkaido University Museum website.