Plant Cell Culture Technology

This book is concerned with some of the major aspects of plant biotechnology, covering the applications of plant cell and tissue culture in commerce and industry. While securely based on existing technology, it also looks forward to the application of proven techniques to new technologies, and the development of new enabling techniques. Four major areas are covered: micropropagation, which is already a commercial reality; cryopreservation and the establishment of gene banks, which is partly realized; the manipulation of cultured plant cells to produce improved plants and high-value substances, an area where there is real potential but as yet no commercial exploitation; and finally genetic manipulation, where the applications of the basic research findings are still some way off.