Somatic Embryogenesis in Woody Plants, 1995 Volume 2 — Angiosperms Forestry Sciences Series, Vol. 44-46

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.

II.1. Somatic embryogenesis in Citrus species.- II.2. Somatic embryogenesis in Eucalyptus.- II.3. Somatic embryogenesis in bamboo.- II.4. Somatic embryogenesis of Bambusa oldhamii, Bambusa beecheyana and Sinocalamus latiflora.- II.5. Somatic embryogenesis in oak (Quercus spp.).- II.6. Somatic embryogenesis in Populus spp..- II.7. Somatic embryogenesis in walnut (Juglans regia).- II.8. Somatic embryogenesis in rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg.).- II.9. Somatic embryogenesis in birch (Betula pendula Roth.).- II.10. Somatic embryogenesis in sandalwood (Santalum album L.).- II.11. Somatic embryogenesis in olive (Olea europaea L.).- II.12. Somatic embryogenesis in grape.- II.13. Somatic embryogenesis in Salix.- II.14. Somatic embryogenesis in Camellia spp..- II.15. Somatic embryogenesis in Rosa spp..- II.16. Somatic embryogenesis in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.).- II.17. Somatic embryogenesis in white ash (Fraxinus americana L.).- II.18. Somatic embryogenesis in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.).- II.19. Somatic embryogenesis in mango (Mangifera indica L.).- II.20. Somatic embryogenesis in neem (Azadirachta indica).- II.21. Somatic embryogenesis in chestnut.- II.22. Somatic embryogenesis in horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.).- II.23. Somatic embryogenesis in apple (Malus).- II.24. Somatic embryogenesis in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.).- II.25. Somatic embryogenesis in eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis).- List of Contributors.- Index of Species.- Index of Subjects.