A long time ago botany used to be regarded as the scientia amabilis, the friendly science, eminently suitable for leisured amateurs. Since then, and particularly in this century, it has grown tremendously in its importance and in its intimate contacts with various other disciplines of science, some of which, like plant genetics and plant physiology, at one time indeed used to be included under the broad term botany. In spite of the fact that such subjects have expanded into major scientific fields of their own, botany, the mother science, continues to maintain its central place: this is because it deals with plants which constitute one of the most vital life-supporting systems of this planet. Furthermore, interacting and benefiting from advances made in other sciences, it has steadily progressed in a number of areas. Experimental embryology of vascular plants is one such field where spectacular advances have been made in recent years. The time is therefore particularly opportune for the publication of an authoritative book on the subject. It is very appropriate that the book has been planned and edited by Professor B. M. Johri, one of India's foremost botanists, whose contributions in embryology, plant morphology and morphogenesis are internationally known. He was closely associated over a number of years with Professor P. Maheshwari, the great botanist and embryologist, to whom the book is dedicated.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- Scope of the Present Work.- Some Landmarks.- Nutrient Media.- Polyembryony.- References.- 2. Experimental Embryology of Pteridophytes.- Initiation of Antheridia.- Spermatogenesis.- Initiation of Archegonia.- Oogenesis.- Maturation of the Egg.- Fertilization.- Pattern of Development in Fern Embryos.- Regulation of Developmental Patterns in Fern Embryos.- References.- 3. Experimental Embryology of Gymnosperms.- Embryogenic Types.- Culture of Embryos.- Culture of Gametophytes.- Concluding Remarks.- References.- 4. Flower Culture.- Differentiation in Floral Bud Cultures: Herbaceous Species.- Differentiation in Floral Bud Cultures: Woody Species.- Callusing of Floral Explants and Differentiation.- Reversal of Floral Explants to Vegetative Condition.- Concluding Remarks.- References.- 5. Anther Culture.- Methods of Culture.- Nutritional and Hormonal Conditions for Androgenesis.- Developmental Stage of Microspore and Other Factors for Pollen Division.- Ontogeny of Pollen Embryoids.- Ploidy Status of Androgenic Plants.- Pollen Plantlets from Haploid, Triploid, and Tetraploid Species.- Concluding Remarks.- References.- 6. Ovary, Ovule, and Nucellus Culture.- Ovaries.- Ovules.- Nucellus.- Concluding Remarks.- References.- 7. Pollen-Pistil Interaction and Control of Fertilization.- The Pollen Grain.- The Pistil.- Pollen-Pistil Interaction.- Incompatibility.- Factors Involved in Recognition.- Sequence of Recognition and Rejection.- Mechanism of Inhibition.- Methods of Overcoming Incompatibility.- Concluding Remarks.- References.- 8. Endosperm Culture.- Culture of Immature Endosperm.- Culture of Mature Endosperm.- Embryo Factor.- Histological and Cytological Studies.- Growth Requirements.- Concluding Remarks.- References.- 9. Embryo Culture.- Culture of Differentiated and Mature Embryos.- Culture of Proembryos.- Comparative Growth of Embryos in Vivo and in Vitro.- Culture of Embryonal Segments.- Concluding Remarks.- References.- 10. Protoplast Culture.- Isolation of Protoplasts.- Culture of Protoplasts.- Regeneration in Protoplast Cultures.- Applications.- Concluding Remarks.- References.- Plant Index.