Provides an insight into current advances in the development of somatic embryogenesis, as well as the cellular and molecular mechanism, differential gene expression, and extracellular protein markers during different developing stages of somatic embryogenesis. It cover somatic embryogenesis in dicotyledons and monocotyledons plants, different factors regulating somatic embryogenesis (plant genotype, level of sugar in the medium, type and concentration of growth regulators, photoperiod, gelling agents, time exposure, induction and maturation medium), application of complex organic additives (often involves fruit juices, pulp, extracts and homogenates as well as liquid endosperms, protein hydrolysates like casein hydrolysate, tryptone, and yeast lysate like yeast extract), genetic fidelity of somatic embryos derived plantlets and role of connecting stress leading in expression of transcription factor that appears to connect stress and developmental signalling pathways and is essential for the subsequent signal transduction cascade that leads to the formation of somatic embryos. Expression of different genes associated with the accumulation of storage reserve during somatic embryogenesis along with isolation and molecular characterization of miRNAs at different developmental stages of embryogenesis, and finally proteomics during somatic embryogenesis has been discussed in detail.

Somatic embryogenesis, the initiation of embryos from previously differentiated somatic cells, is a unique process in plants. This volume expands our view of a subject that is important for plant biotechnology, genetics, cell biology, development, and agricultural applications. All chapters present the latest research progress, including functional genomic, genetic, and proteomic approaches. A special focus is placed on the effects of stress, environment, and plant growth regulators on embryogenesis. The role of genes such as Leafy Cotyledons and Baby Boom in defining and maintaining cell competence is discussed.

The bioactive compounds of plants have world-wide applications in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and food industry with a huge market. In this book, a group of active researchers have addressed on the most recent advances in plant cell and organ cultures for the production of biomass and bioactive compounds using bioreactors. Tremendous efforts have been made to commercialize the production of plant metabolites by employing plant cell and organ cultures in bioreactors. This book emphasizes on the fundamental topics like designing of bioreactors for plant cell and organ cultures, various types of bioreactors including stirred tank, airlift, photo-bioreactor, disposable bioreactor used for plant cell and organ cultures and the advantages and disadvantages of bioreactor cultures. Various strategies for biomass production and metabolite accumulation have been discussed in different plant systems including Korean/Chinese ginseng, Siberian ginseng, Indian ginseng, Echinacea, St. John’s wort, Noni, Chinese licorice, Caterpillar fungus and microalgae. Researches on the industrial application of plant cells and organs with future prospects as well as the biosafety of biomass produced in bioreactors are also described. The topics covered in this book, such as plant cell and organ cultures, hairy roots, bioreactors, bioprocess techniques, will be a valuable reference for plant biotechnologists, plant biologists, pharmacologists, pharmacists, food technologists, nutritionists, research investigators of healthcare industry, academia, faculty and students of biology and biomedical sciences. The multiple examples of large-scale applications of cell and organ cultures will be useful and significant to industrial transformation and real commercialization.

In vitro Embryogenesis in Plants is the first book devoted exclusively to this topic. As the ultimate demonstration of totipotency in plants, somatic and haploid embryogenesis is of vital importance to all those working on or interested in basic and applied aspects of plantlet information and regeneration. The text includes comprehensive reviews written by experts, on all facts of in vitro and in vivo embryogenesis. Some chapters deal with the morphogenic, structural and developmental, physiological and biochemical, and molecular biological aspects of the subject. Chapters are also devoted to haploid embryogenesis, asexual embryogenesis in nature, zygotic embryogenesis, and zygotic embryo culture. Detailed tables summarizing successful somatic embryogenesis in all vascular plants are also included. This book, therefore, brings together previously scattered information to provide an indispensable reference book for both active researchers, graduate students and anyone interested in this aspect of tissue culture technology and plant development.

This book discusses basic and applied aspects of somatic embryogenesis, one of the most powerful tools in plant biotechnology. It is divided into three parts; Part I includes topics such as the history of this research field, how differentiated plant cells can (re)acquire totipotency, molecular features, as well as the epigenetics and proteomics of somatic embryogenesis. Part II covers the somatic embryogenesis of different crops, such as Agave spp. maize, Cocos nucifera, Bixa orellana, Capsicum spp., Coffea spp., Musa spp., Pinus spp., and Arabidopsis thaliana. Various applications, like scale-up propagation and genetic engineering are discussed in detail in Part III. The book will appeal to plant scientists, plant breeders and experts working in industry.

It has become apparent, during discussions with students and colleagues in forest genetics, that a universal concern is the achievement of diverse goals of forestry from fiber production in industrial as well as farm forests to conserving forest ecosystems. Although we generally have several breeding methods available and several species to breed, we seek to satisfy multiple-use goals on diverse sites by management techniques that at best can only partially control edaphic environmental variation. The dominant approach, which was agriculturally motivated, has involved inten sive effort with complicated breeding plans on single species for uniform adaptability and single-product plantations. However, this is obviously neither the only, nor necessarily the best, solution for the genetic management of tree species, and thus our intent in this volume is to develop ways to achieve multiple objectives in tree breeding. We include an array of breeding plans from simple iterated designs to sets of multiple populations capable of using gene actions for different traits in different environments for uncertain futures. The presentation is organized around the development of breeding from single-to multiple-option plans, from single to multiple traits, from single to mUltiple environ ments, and from single to multiple populations. However, it is not a complete "How To" book, and includes neither exercises nor instructions on data handling. It also does not include discussion of all modes of reproduction and inheritance encountered in plants.

Over the past decades, chromatin remodelling has emerged as an important regulator of gene expression and plant defense. This book provides a detailed understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in plants of agronomic importance. The information presented here is significant because it is expected to provide the knowledge needed to develop in the future treatments to manipulate and selectively activate/inhibit proteins and metabolic pathways to counter pathogens, to treat important diseases and to increase crop productivity. New approaches of this kind and the development of new technologies will certainly increase our knowledge of currently known post-translational modifications and facilitate the understanding of their roles in, for example, host-pathogen interactions and crop productivity. Furthermore, we provide important insight on how the plant epigenome changes in response to developmental or environmental stimuli, how chromatin modifications are established and maintained, to which degree they are used throughout the genome, and how chromatin modifications influence each another.

The breadth and depth of knowledge concerning ethylene synthesis and action, coupled with the rapid pace of new progress makes a survey of the field a daunting task. Therefore, experts who were actively engaged in different aspects of ethylene research from different countries, spanning four continents were enlisted to complete this monograph. This book discusses a historical perspective as well as future trends and possibilities in this field.

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a unique process by means of which a vegetative/somatic plant cell transforms into an embryo. This in vitro embryogeny has immense fundamental and practical applications. The SE process is complex and is controlled by a variety of external and internal triggers. This book compiles the latest advances in embryogenesis research on ornamentals and discusses the importance of embryogenic cultures/tissues in raising transgenic crops. The technique of cryopreservation in the protection of ornamental genetic resources is discussed using embryogenic culture/embryo as the tissue of choice, and the respective roles of the genotype, plant growth regulator, environment and other regulating factors in embryogenesis are discussed. The book also focuses on comparative biochemical and physiological differences during the acquisition and development of embryos. The importance of plant proteome and functional genomics as a source of markers is highlighted, and special attention is paid to genes / gene homologues (SERC) in characterizing embryogenesis. Lastly, the book examines the involvement of auxin polar transport and other molecular networks regulating gene expression.

The establishment of polarity is a fundamental feature in eukaryotic development. Polarity in Plants provides an account of current research into the mechanisms by which polarity is generated at the level of the cell, organ and organism in plants, drawing especially on recent work with model organisms. The emphasis is on the use of the techniques of molecular genetics to dissect molecular mechanisms. This is the first volume to bring together the diverse aspects of polarity in plant development.