Somatic Embryogenesis in Woody Plants: Volume 2 - Angiosperms: 44-46 (Forestry Sciences) - Tapa dura

The quality of human life has been maintained and enhanced for generations by the use of trees and their products. In recent years, ever rising human population growth has put tremendous pressure on trees and tree products; growing awareness of the potential of previously unexploited tree resources and environmental pollution have both accelerated development of new technologies for tree propagation, breeding and improvement. Biotechnology of trees may be the answer to solve the problems which cannot be solved by conventional breeding methods. The combination of biotechnology and conventional methods such as plant propagation and breeding may be a novel approach to improving and multiplying in large number the trees and woody plants. So far, plant tissue culture technology has largely been exploited in the propagation of ornamental plants, especially foliage house plants, by com­ mercial companies. Generally, tissue culture of woody plants has been recal­ citrant. However, limited success has been achieved in tissue culture of angiosperm and gymnosperm woody plants. A number of recent reports on somatic embryogenesis in woody plants such as Norway spruce (Picea abies), Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), Sandalwood (Santalurn album), Citrus, Mango (Mangifera indica), etc. , offer a ray of hope of: a) inexpensive clonal propa­ gation for large-scale production of plants or "emblings" or "somatic embryo plants", b) protoplast work, c) cryopreservation, d) genetic transformation, and e) artificial or manufactured seed production.

These books provide an update to progress on somatic embryogenesis in woody plants including both angiosperm and gymnosperm trees. In the past, most of the information on this subject was scattered in proceedings volumes, journals, biotechnology books, etc. It has been difficult for the researchers and students to obtain comprehensive information on this rapidly growing subject from a single source. These books enable readers to get a clear view of this subject on historical, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and molecular aspects, and applications including protoplasts, cryopreservation, manufactured seed (artificial seed), genetic transformation, bioreactors, mutations, and future uses in forest plantations. Each selected woody plant mentioned in the book is briefly introduced first, covering botany and genetics, importance and geographical distribution, breeding problems, and in vitro propagation and problems of each selected woody plant and then is followed by the description on the initiation and maintenance of embryogenic cultures, embryo development and germination, and field trials (if any) of these plants.
These books are meant for graduate students and researchers in forestry and horticulture as well as biotechnologists.