Edited by R.G. Butenko 

Paperback

207 Pages

MIR Publishers Moscow

The Biology of Cultured Plant Cells: Principles and Biotechnological Applications

In vitro plant tissue culture has evolved from a laboratory technique into a sophisticated scientific discipline: the biology of cultured plant cells. This comprehensive volume, authored by leading experts from the Soviet Academy of Sciences, provides a deep exploration of the theoretical foundations and practical applications of this field. Since the inception of these studies in 1958, Soviet researchers have accumulated a wealth of data that is vital for modern biotechnology, yet often remains under-represented in international literature.

The book moves beyond empirical "trial-and-error" methods, seeking a fundamental understanding of the intrinsic regularities of cultured cells as a unique biological system. It addresses critical questions regarding cell homeostasis, population evolution during long-term cultivation, and the stability of marker traits. Through detailed case studies—including the transport of sugars in sugar beet cultures and the synthesis of steroids and essential oils in Dioscorea, Rosa, and Mentha—the authors demonstrate how cell biology serves as the engine for industrial innovation in the medicinal, food, and cosmetic sectors.

A significant portion of the text is dedicated to genetic manipulation and somatic cell genetics. Readers will find detailed accounts of cell selection for stress resistance (such as salinity and low temperatures) in crops like rice, as well as groundbreaking techniques in protoplast fusion and remote hybridization. These methods offer new avenues for plant breeding that bypass the limitations of natural sexual reproduction. Furthermore, the book explores the vital role of cryopreservation in safeguarding the genetic stability of industrial strains and preserving the earth’s disappearing biodiversity.

By bridging the gap between pure research and agronomic importance, this work is an indispensable resource for physiologists, geneticists, and biotechnologists. It offers a clear picture of how controlling the differentiation and morphogenesis of cultured cells leads to the mastery of plant development.