Which part of the plant is typically free of viruses and can be used to grow virus-free plants?

Meristem (apical and axillary)

The correct answer is Option (3) -Meristem (apical and axillary)

There is a method using tissue culture techniques to recover healthy plants from those that are diseased. Although a plant might be infected with a virus, the meristem (the growing regions at the tips of the plant, specifically the apical and axillary meristems) usually remains free from viral infection. By isolating the virus-free meristem and cultivating it in a controlled, sterile environment (in vitro), scientists can regenerate a new, healthy plant that is free from the virus. This technique has been successfully applied to various important crops, including bananas, sugarcane, and potatoes, ensuring that these plants are healthy and disease-free. This method is particularly valuable for maintaining and propagating virus-free plant stocks in agriculture.