The quality of human life has been maintained and enhanced for generations by the use of trees and their products. In recent years, ever rising human population growth has put a tremendous pressure on trees and tree products; growing awareness of the potential of previously unexploited tree resources; and environmental pollution have both accelerated the development of new technologies for tree propagation, breeding and improvement. Biotechnology of trees may be the answer to solve the problems which can not be solved by conventional breeding methods. The combination of biotechnology and conventional methods such as plant propagation and breeding could become a novel approach to improving and multiplying a large number of the trees and woody plants. So far, plant tissue culture technology has largely been exploited by commercial companies in propagation of ornamentals, especially foliage house plants. Generally, tissue culture of woody plants has been recalcitrant. However, limited success has been achieved in tissue culture of angiosperm and gymnosperm woody plants. A number of recent reports on somatic embryogenesis in woody plants such as Norway spruce (Picea abies), Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), Sandalwood (Santalum album), Citrus and mango (Mangifera indica), offer a ray of hope for inexpensive clonal propagation for large-scale production of plants or 'emblings' or somatic seedlings; protoplast work; cryopreservation; genetic transformation; and synthetic or artificial or manufactured seed production.

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Section A: 1. Somatic Embryogenesis of Ocotea catharinensis: An Endangered Tress of the Mata Atlantica (S. Brazil); A.M. Viana, S.H. Mantell. 2. Somatic Embryogenesis in Linden (Tilia spp.); V. Chalupa. 3. Somatic Embryogenesis in Big-Leaf Mahogany (Swietentia macrophylla King); E. Maruyama, K. Ishii. 4.Somatic Embryogenesis in Eucalyptus grandis and E. dunni; M.P. Watt, et al. 5.Somatic Embryogenesis in Gnetum ula; A.C. Augustine, L. D'Souza. 6. Somatic Embryogenesis in Rosewood and Other Indian Tree Legumes; G. Lakshmi Sita. 7. Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Somatic Embryogenesis in Araujia sericifera; J.M. Torne, et al. 8. Somatic Embryogenesis from Winter Buds of 10-Year-Old Aralia elata; H.K. Moon, Y. Youn. 9. Somatic Embryogenesis in Hoheria angustifolia; H.E. Darrow, et al. 10. Somatic Embryogenesis in Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.); K.H. Han, Y.G. Park. 11. Direct Somatic Embryogenesis from Leaves of Camellia japonica; M.C. Pedroso, M.S. Pais. Section B: 12. Somatic Embryogenesis in Kiwifruit (Actinida sp.); M.M. Oliveira. 13. Somatic Embryogenesis of Avocado (ersea americana Mill.); Witjaksono, et al. 14. Somatic Embryogenesis in Prunus Species; Ph. Druart. Section C: 15. Somatic Embryogenesis in Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze.; A. Akula, C. Akula. 16. Somatic Embryogenesis of Coffee; M. Berthouly, H. Etienne. Section D: 17. Genetic Transformation in Conifers; S.C. Minocha, R. Minocha. 18. Transformation of Somatic Embryos of Fruit Trees and Grapevine; C. Srinivasan, R. Scorza.