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Presented here is another classic from this series and deals with general aspects of micropropagation of plants for commercial exploitation. It includes chapters on setting up a commercial laboratory, meristem culture, somatic embryogenesis, factors affecting micropropagation, disposable vessels, vitrification, acclimatization, induction of rooting, artificial substrates, cryopreservation and artificial seed. Special emphasis is given on modern approaches and developing technologies such as automation and bioreactors, robots in transplanting, artificial intelligence, information management and computerized greenhouses for en masse commercial production of plants.

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´Section I General Aspects, Factors Affecting Micropropagation, Meristem Culture, Somatic Embryogenesis, Grafting, Vitrification, Acclimatization, Disposable Culture Vessels.- I.1 Automated Micropropagation for en masse Production of Plants.- 1 General Account.- 2 Problems and Factors Affecting Micropropagation.- 3 Automation - Robots, Microcomputers, and Artificial Intelligence.- 4 Summary and Conclusions.- References.- I.2 Setting Up a Commercial Micropropagation Laboratory (With 8 Figures).- 1 Introduction.- 2 The Planning Phase.- 3 Decision on Laboratory Specification.- 4 The Micropropagation and Ancillary Facilities.- 5 Research and Development and Quality Assurance.- 6 Trends in the Micropropagation Industry.- 7 Conclusions.- References.- I.3 Micropropagation Through Meristem Culture (With 1 Figures).- 1 Introduction.- 2 Shoot Meristem Culture.- 3 Factors Influencing Disease-Elimination.- 4 In Vitro Clonal Propagation of Disease Eliminated Plants.- 5 Long-Term Storage.- 6 Implications in Commercial Propagation.- References.- I.4 Micropropagation Through Somatic Embryogenesis in Conifers (With 7 Figures).- 1 General Account.- 2 Plant Regeneration.- 3 Conclusions.- References.- I.5 Graft Compatibilities in Vitro (With 9 Figures).- 1 Introduction.- 2 In Vitro Studies of Graft Compatibility-Incompatibility.- 3 Models for Graft Compatibility-Incompatibility.- 4 Future Prospects.- References.- I.6 In Vitro Induction of Flowering and Its Relevance to Micropropagation (With 2 Figures).- 1 Introduction.- 2 The Existence of Florigen? Evidence Provided by in Vitro Studies.- 3 Studies Concerned with Flower Inhibitors.- 4 Flowering as a Multi-Component System: Evidence Provided by in Vitro Studies.- 5 Hormones and in Vitro Flowering.- 6 Nonhormonal Substances and in Vitro Flowering.- 7 Conclusions.- References.- I.7 Vitrification in Micropropagation.- 1 Definition.- 2 Morphological, Anatomical, Mechanical and Biochemical Characteristics.- 3 External and Internal Factors Inducing Vitrification.- 4 Remedies.- 5 Disadvantages.- 6 Beneficial Management.- 7 Conclusions and Prospects.- References.- I.8 Acclimatization of Micropropagated Plants (With 7 Figures).- 1 Introduction.- 2 Features of Tissue Culture Environment.- 3 Heterotrophy, Mixotrophy, and Autotrophy.- 4 Increasing Percentage Survival and Growth Rate.- 5 Computer-Controlled Acclimatization Unit.- 6 Concluding Remarks.- References.- I.9 The Effect of the Nature and Origin of Explants on Micropropagation (With 9 Figures).- 1 Introduction.- 2 What Is Meant by the Nature and Origin of Explants?.- 3 Examples of Explant Reaction.- 4 Summary.- References.- I.10 Problems with Explant Exudation in Micropropagation (With 1 Figure).- 1 General Account.- 2 Phenolic Compounds.- 3 Oxidation of Phenolics.- 4 Conclusions.- References.- I.11 Woody Plant Micropropagation with Cytokinins (With 4 Figures).- 1 Introduction.- 2 Comparative Physiology.- 3 Cytokinin Biology.- 4 Discussion.- References.- I.12 The Effect of the Culture Vessel on Micropropagation (With 4 Figures).- 1 Introduction.- 2 Moisture Conductance.- 3 Discussion.- 4 Summary and Conclusion.- References.- I.13 Disposable Film Culture Vessels (With 17 Figures).- 1 Introduction.- 2 Properties of Fluorocarbon Polymer Films.- 3 Box-Shaped Vessel, the "Culture Pack".- 4 Envelope-Shaped Vessel, the "Culture Bag".- 5 Conclusions.- References.- Section II Rooting, Artificial Substrates, Autotrophic Micropropagation, Nursery Planting.- II.1 Rooting of in Vitro Cuttings (With 4 Figures).- 1 Introduction.- 2 Stages of Root Ontogenesis.- 3 Rooting Correlations: Influence of Lateral Organs.- 4 Influence of Juvenility.- 5 Basal Medium and Carbohydrate Nutrition.- 6 Environmental Influences.- 7 Relations Between Rhizogenesis, Auxins, Peroxidases, Phenols, and Ethylene.- 8 Relations Between Ontogenetic States and Rooting Markers.- 9 Conclusion.- Refe

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