Earlier, we edited a well received series on "Somatic embryogenesis in woody trees", volumes 1 to 6. These volumes provided readers extensive reviews on somatic embryogenesis of important angiosperm and gymnosperm tree species; an excellent source of information for newcomers or those already engaged in research. However, these book volumes did not cover stepwise "detailed protocols" for inducing somatic embryogenesis. This book contains 46 chapters, divided into 4 sections: A) 12 chapters on conifers, B) 14 chapters on fruits, C) 14 chapters on angiosperms, and D) 6 chapters on histology, bioencapsulation, protoplasts, cryopreservation, double staining and thin cell layer sectioning. The book provides stepwise protocols for somatic embryogenesis of a range of selected woody plants in order to assist researchers to initiate somatic embryogenic cultures without too much alterations in protocols. Each chapter provides information on initiation and maintenance of embryogenic cultures; somatic embryo development, maturation, and germination; acclimitization and field transfer of somatic seedlings. Some chapteres include applications of somatic embryogenesis cultures, e.g. protoplasts, encapsulation, cryopreservation, genetic transformation, genetic fidelity with molecular markers, and bioreactor.

Zusammenfassung
World population is increasing at an alarming rate and this has resulted in increasing tremendously the demand for tree products such as wood for construction materials, fuel and paper, fruits, oils and medicines etc. This has put immense pressure on the world's supplies of trees and raw material to industry and will continue to do so as long as human population continues to grow. Also, the quality of human diet, especially nutritional components, is adversely affected due to limited genetic improvement of most of fruit trees. Thus there is an immediate need to increase productivity of trees. Improvement has been made through conventional breeding methods, however, conventional breeding is very slow due to long life cycle of trees. A basic strategy in tree improvement is to capture genetic gain through clonal propagation. Clonal propagation via organogenesis is being used for the production of selected elite individual trees. However, the methods are labour intensive, costly, and produce low volumes. Genetic gain can now be captured through somatic embryogenesis. Formation of embryos from somatic cells by a process resembling zygotic embryogenesis is one of the most important features of plants. In 1958, Reinert in Germany and Steward in USA independently reported somatic embryogenesis in carrot cultures. Since then, tremendous progress in somatic embryogenesis of woody and non-woody plants has taken place. It offers a potentially large-scale propagation system for superior clones.

Inhalt
Section A.- Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.).- Somatic Embryogenesis and Genetic Transformation in Pinus radiata.- Douglas - Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii).- Omorika Spruce (Picea omorika).- Somatic Embryogenesis in Picea glauca.- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: Black Spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.).- Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis).- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis of Pinus nigra Arn..- Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda).- Somatic Embryogenesis in Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.).- Somatic Embryogenesis in Pinus patula.- Somatic Embryogenesis in Norway Spruce.- Section B.- Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.).- Somatic Embryogenesis Protocol: Coffee (Coffea arabica L. and C. canephora P.).- Protocols for Somatic Embryogenesis and Plantlet Formation from Three Explants in Tea (Camellia sinensis (l.) o. kuntze).- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis from Citrus spp. Anther Culture.- Integrated System for Propagation of Theobroma cacao L..- Mango (Mangifera indica L.).- Somatic Embryogenesis Injackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.).- Somatic Embryogenesis in Indian Olive (Elaeocarpus robustus L).- Rescue of Endangered Palms by in vitro Methods: The Case of 'Bottle Palm'.- Somatic Embryogenesis in American Grapes (Vitis x labruscana L.H. Bailey).- Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.).- Grape (Vitis vinifera L.).- Date Palm Phoenix dactylifera L..- Somatic Embryogenesis Protocol: Citrus.- Olive (Olea europaea L.).- Section C.- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. (Sissoo).- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) and Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea /Matt./ Liebl.).- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: Tamarillo (Cyphomandra betacea (Cav.) Sendtn.).- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: European Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.).- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis in Acacia arabica (Lamk.) Willd..- Protocol for Hazelnut Somatic Embryogenesis.- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: Ocotea catharinensis Mez. (Lauraceae).- Cork Oak, Quercus suber L..- Sawara Cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera Sieb. et Zucc..- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: Holm Oak (Quercus ilex L.).- Protocols for Somatic Embryogenesis of Hybrid Firs.- Somatic Embryogenesis in Sandalwood.- Echinacea purpurea L.: Somatic Embryogenesis from Leaf Explant.- Section D.- Histological Techniques.- Bioencapsulation of Somatic Embryos in Woody Plants.- Protoplast Isolation and Culture of Woody Plants.- Cryopreservation of Embryonal Cells.- Double Staining Technology for Distinguishing Embryogenic Cultures.- Thin Cell Layer Sectioning for Inducing Somatic Embryogenesis in Woody Plants.