In vitro culture of shoot meristem measuring less than 0.1 mm in length is called meristem culture. It is employed in the in vitro clonal propagation of plants from shoot tips, leaf sections, and calli. By this technique it is possible to generate virus-free plants in culture from meristem of infected plants. This is especially applicable to those propagated vegetatively as unlike seeds (which do not carry viruses), the pathogens are transferred directly to the regenerated plants. Garlic, pineapple, banana, sugarcane, and potato may be raised as virus free plants from infected lots by meristem culture. Apart from raising virus free plants, it is also used for micropropagation and germplasm storage.