1 John H. Dodds The culture offragmen ts of plant tissue is not a particularly new science, in fact as long ago as 1893 Rechinger (1893) described the formation of callus on isolated fragments of stems and roots. The culture of plant tissues in vitro on a nutrient medium was performed by Haberlandt (1902), however, his attempts were unsuccessful because he chose too simple a medium that lacked critical growth factors. Over the last fifty years there has been a surge of development in plant tissue culture techniques and a host of techniques are now avail able (Dodds and Roberts, 1982). The major areas are as follows. Callus Culture Callus is a rather ill-dermed material. but is usually described as an un organised proliferating mass of tissue. Although callus cultures have a great deal of potential in the biotechnological aspects of tissue culture, i.e. secondary product formation, they are not very suitable for plant propagation. The key reason for their unsuitability is that genetic aber rations occur during mitotic divisions in callus growth (D'amato.l965). The aberrations can be of a major type, such as aneuploidy or endo reduplication. It follows therefore that the genetic status of the re generated plants is different from that of the parent type. In general terms this genetic instability is undesirable, but there are occasions when a callus stage can be purposely included to diversify the genetic base of the crop.

For those working in molecular biology, this book describes the latest techniques in plant genetic research and the practical application of genetic engineering to important crop plants such as the potato. The various chapters detail methods used for the genetic modification of plants, including protoplast fusion and the use of Agrobacterium and viruses as vectors for plant genes. The types of agricultural and industrial processes that will be improved by these technologies are indicated throughout the book. The contributors to this volume, among the world's foremost authorities on plant genetic engineering, have prepared a comprehensive and pertinent bibliography that is a key to the literature. Their scientific reports will enlighten advanced students, research workers and technicians in botany, biochemistry and biotechnology. All scientists in plant molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, and, agriculture should find this book a valuable aid in their understanding of current techniques, principles and applications in plant genetic engineering.

This book was first published in 1985. For those working in molecular biology, this book describes techniques in plant genetic research and the practical application of genetic engineering to important crop plants such as the potato. The various chapters detail methods used for the genetic modification of plants, including protoplast fusion and the use of Agrobacterium and viruses as vectors for plant genes. The types of agricultural and industrial processes that will be improved by these technologies are indicated throughout the book. The contributors to this volume have prepared a comprehensive and pertinent bibliography that is a key to the literature. Their scientific reports will enlighten advanced students, research workers and technicians in botany, biochemistry and biotechnology. All scientists in plant molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and agriculture should find this book a valuable aid in their understanding of current techniques, principles and applications in plant genetic engineering.

In this third edition the authors have written a guide to the essentials of plant tissue culture. The book takes the reader through a graded series of experimental protocols and provides an introductory review of each topic. There are discussions of aseptic techniques, and nutritional components of media. Subsequent chapters cover such topics as callus formation, organogenesis, xylem cell differentiation, root cultures, cell suspensions, micropropagation by buds, somatic embryogenesis, protoplast culture and fusion, secondary metabolite production, and quantitation of procedures. A glossary, commercial sources of supplies, and the formulations of culture media are also included. This new edition has been completely revised and updated. The organization has been improved, and new illustrations have been added, together with new experiments on such topics as potato callus formation, and embryo culture. This book will be useful to graduate students and professionals in plant science, forestry, agronomy, and horticulture.