Rapid Propagation of Fast-growing Woody Species

Plant cell and tissue culture is now an established method which can be used for clonal propagation of plant material. While such propagation may be uneconomic for field crops which can be readily propagated from seed, the prospects for clonal propagation of woody perennials are greater. A number of woody plants have been shown to produce multiple shoots and roots in vitro, and such micropropagation methods also include embryo culture and somatic embryogenesis. These methods are now becoming established alongside more traditional methods of macropropagation. This book reviews current knowledge of these methods for rapid propagation of fast-growing woody species, and is based on a conference organized by CASAFA (Commission on the Application of Science to Agriculture, Forestry and Aquaculture) of the International Council of Scientific Unions. It should therefore be of interest to research workers in plant biotechnology and forestry.