Biotechnology in Forest Tree Improvement with Special Reference to Developing Countries

Contents: I. Introduction. II. Current status of tree improvement: 1. Elements of a genetic improvement program. 2. Status of tree improvement. 3. Tree improvement in developed countries. 4. Tree improvement in developing countries. III. Cryopreservation and In vitro storage: 1. Principles and experimental achievements. 2. Applications in forest tree improvement. 3. Conclusions. IV. Molecular markers: 1. Methods. 2. Principles and achievements. 3. Applications in forest tree improvement. 4. Conclusions. V. In vitro selection: 1. Principles and experimental achievements. 2. Applications in forest tree achievements. VI. Genetic engineering: 1. Strategies. 2. General techniques. 3. Introduction of genes. 4. Promoters. 5. Marker genes. 6. Targeted traits. 7. The track record. 8. Drawbacks and difficulties. 9. Applications to forest trees. 10. Integration into tree breeding programmes. Conclusions. VII. Somaclonal variation: 1. Principles and experimental achievements. 2. Application to forest tree improvement. VIII. Protoplast fusion: 1. Principles and experimental achievements. 2. Application to forest tree improvement. IX. Haploid cultures: 1. Principles and experimental achievements. 2. Application to forest tree improvement. X. In vitro embryo rescue: 1. Principles and experimental achievements. 2. Application to forest tree improvement. XI. Micropropagation: 1. Principles and experimental achievements. 2. Application to forest tree improvement. 3. Conclusions. XII. In vitro control of the maturation state: 1. Principles and experimental achievements. 2. Application to forest tree improvement. 3. Conclusions. XIII. General conclusions: 1. The status of tree improvement. 2. Biotechnologies and their applications to tree improvement. 3. Synthesis. 4. Biotechnology and tree improvement in developing countries. References. Glossary. Acronyms.