Major and exciting changes have taken place recently in various aspects of bio technology and its applications to forestry. Even more exciting is the prospect of major innovations that the entire field of biotechnology holds for plant growth in general. The importance of these developments for the forestry sector is considerable, particu larly since forestry science has not received the kinds of technical and R&D inputs that, say, agriculture has received in the past few decades. Y ct the problems of defor estation as well as stagnation in yields and productivity of existing forests throughout the world are becoming increasingly apparent, with consequences and ecological ef fects that cause growing worldwide concern. Policies for application of existing knowl edge in biotechnology to the field of forestry and priorities for future research and development are, therefore, of considerable value, because it is only through the adop tion of the right priorities and enlightened policies that scientific developments will move along the right direction, leading to improvements in forestry practices through out the world. It was against this backdrop that the Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) or ganised a major international workshop on the "Applications of Biotechnology in For estry and Horticulture" at New Delhi in January 1988. The present volume covers the proceedings of this international workshop.

Conceived with the aim of sorting fact from fiction over genetically modified (GM) crops, this book brings together the knowledge of 30 specialists in the field of transgenic plants. It covers the generation and detection of these plants as well as the genetic traits conferred on transgenic plants. In addition, the book looks at a wide variety of crops, ornamental plants and tree species that are subject to genetic modifications, assessing the risks involved in genetic modification as well as the potential economic benefits of the technology in specific cases. The book’s structure, with fully cross-referenced chapters, gives readers a quick access to specific topics, whether that is comprehensive data on particular species of ornamentals, or coverage of the socioeconomic implications of GM technology. With an increasing demand for bioenergy, and the necessary higher yields relying on wider genetic variation, this book supplies all the technical details required to move forward to a new era in agriculture.

2. IMPORTANCE OF NITROGEN METABOLISM 2. 1. Range of naturally occurring nitrogenous components in forest trees 2. 2. Gene expression and mapping 2. 3. Metabolic changes in organized and unorganized systems 2. 4. Nitrogen and nutrition 2. 5. Aspects of intermediary nitrogen metabolism 3. NITROGEN METABOLISM IN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 3. 1. Precultural factors 3. 2. Callus formation 3. 3. Cell suspensions 3. 3. 1. Conifers 3. 3. 2. Acer 3. 4. Morphogenesis 3. 4. 1. Nitrogen metabolism of natural embryos 3. 4. 2. Somatic embryogenesis 3. 4. 2. 1. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) 3. 4. 2. 2. Douglar-fir and loblolly pine 3. 4. 3. Organogenesis 4. OUTLOOK 11. CARBOHYDRATE UTILIZATION AND METABOLISM - T. A. Thorpe 325 1. INTRODUCTION 2. NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS 3. CARBOHYDRATE UPTAKE 4. CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM 4. 1. Sucrose degradation 4. 2. Metabolism of other carbon sources 4. 3. Hexose mobilization and metabolism 4. 3. 1. Cell cycle studies 4. 3. 2. Growth studies 4. 3. 3. Organized development 4. 4. Cell wall biogenesis 4. 4. 1. Primary cell walls 4. 4. 2. Cell wall turnover 4. 4. 3. Secondary cell walls 4. 5. Carbon skeleton utilization 5. OSMOTIC ROLE 6. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS 369 12. THE USE OF IN VITRO TECHNIQUES FOR GENETIC MODIFICATIO~FOREST TREES - E. G. Kirby 1. INTRODUCTION 2. IN VITRO SELECTION 2. 1. Natural variation 2. 2. Induction of variation 2. 3. Selection techniques 2. 4. Plant regeneration 2 . • 5. Applications x 3. SOMATIC HYBRIDIZATION 3. 1.

Genetic Engineering of Horticultural Crops provides key insights into commercialized crops, their improved productivity, disease and pest resistance, and enhanced nutritional or medicinal benefits. It includes insights into key technologies, such as marker traits identification and genetic traits transfer for increased productivity, examining the latest transgenic advances in a variety of crops and providing foundational information that can be applied to new areas of study. As modern biotechnology has helped to increase crop productivity by introducing novel gene(s) with high quality disease resistance and increased drought tolerance, this is an ideal resource for researchers and industry professionals. - Provides examples of current technologies and methodologies, addressing abiotic and biotic stresses, pest resistance and yield improvement - Presents protocols on plant genetic engineering in a variety of wide-use crops - Includes biosafety rule regulation of genetically modified crops in the USA and third world countries

In the context of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries.

Presented here is another classic from this series and deals with general aspects of micropropagation of plants for commercial exploitation. It includes chapters on setting up a commercial laboratory, meristem culture, somatic embryogenesis, factors affecting micropropagation, disposable vessels, vitrification, acclimatization, induction of rooting, artificial substrates, cryopreservation and artificial seed. Special emphasis is given on modern approaches and developing technologies such as automation and bioreactors, robots in transplanting, artificial intelligence, information management and computerized greenhouses for en masse commercial production of plants.

As agricultural production increases to meet the demands of a growing world population, so has the pace of biotechnology research to combat plant disease. Diseases can be caused by a variety of complex plant pathogens including fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes, and their management requires the use of techniques in transgenic technology, biochemistry and genetics. While texts exist on specific pathogens or management practices, a comprehensive review is needed of recent developments in modern techniques and the understanding of how pathogens cause disease. This collection of studies discusses the key approaches to managing each group of pathogens within the context of recent developments in biotechnology. Broad themes include microbe-plant interactions, molecular diagnostics of plant pathogens and enhancing the resistance of plants.

Plant Cell and Tissue Culture gives an exhaustive account of plant cell culture and genetic transformation, including detailed chapters on all major field and plantation crops. Part A presents a comprehensive coverage of all necessary laboratory techniques for the initiation, nutrition, maintenance and storage of plant cell and tissue cultures, including discussions on these topics, as well as on morphogenesis and regeneration, meristem and shoot tip culture, plant protoplasts, mutant cell lines, variation in tissue cultures, isogenic lines, fertilization control, cryopreservation, transformation, and the production of secondary metabolites. Part B then proceeds into detail on the specific in vitro culture of specific crops, including cereals, legumes, vegetables, potatoes, other roots and tubers, oilseeds, temperate fruits, tropical fruits, plantation crops, forest trees and ornamentals. Plant Cell and Tissue Culture is, and is likely to remain, the laboratory manual of choice, as well as a source of inspiration and a guide to all workers in the field.