What does sterile propagation technique involve?

• A. Using clean tools, clean media, and sterile cuttings to reduce disease risk.
• B. Using only sterile water for irrigation.
• C. Keeping the growing area in full sunlight.
• D. Using greenhouse heating to sterilize air.

Answer: (A)

Sterile propagation technique means preventing contamination during propagation by keeping tools, media, and plant material free of microbes. By using clean tools, clean growing media, and cuttings that are free of surface pathogens, you dramatically reduce the chance of introducing fungi, bacteria, or viruses that could cause disease once the plant is in development. This approach is about maintaining an aseptic environment as you work, often involving cleaning or sterilizing equipment, disinfecting surfaces, and handling plant material in a way that minimizes introduced microbes. The other options miss the broader idea: sterile water alone doesn’t address contamination on tools and media, while keeping the area in full sunlight or using greenhouse heat to sterilize air doesn’t actually sterilize the propagation environment.