Proceedings of the 7th International Protoplast Symposium, Wageningen, The Netherlands, December 6-11, 1987

Although only about 3 years have passed since the preparation of the original manuscript of this book for the Russian edition, the number of successful experiments on somatic hybridization of higher plants has doubled. Although the main inferences of the first edition still remain in force, most of them have received conclusive experimental support and, moreover, some new con clusions have been drawn. It can be expected that these inferences and conclusions will constitute a more or less durable foundation for somatic cell genetics of higher plants. We thus hope this book will also remain useful over the next years, in spite of the rapid progress of experiments and the increase in the number of scientific reports in this field. Though it might appear strange to an uninvolved observer, the principal progress in hybridization of somatic cells of higher plants has been due to plant physiologists (who entered the field by elaborating methods and techniques for plant cell and, later, for isolated protoplast culture) rather than plant geneticists. However, further qualitative improvement in this field is inconceivable without the instillation of genetic ideology and the strict logic of genetic experiments. The main purpose ofthis book is the attempt to organize the available experimental data in terms and cate gories of genetic analysis. For this reason, this book lays no claim on being a comprehensive treatise on somatic hybridization.

Genetic variability is an important parameter for plant breeders in any con ventional crop improvement programme. Very often the desired variation is un available in the right combination, or simply does not exist at all. However, plant breeders have successfully recombined the desired genes from cultivated crop gerrnplasm and related wild species by sexual hybridization, and have been able to develop new cultivars with desirable agronomie traits, such as high yield, disease, pest, and drought resistance. So far, conventional breeding methods have managed to feed the world's ever-growing population. Continued population growth, no further scope of expanding arable land, soil degradation, environ mental pollution and global warrning are causes of concern to plant biologists and planners. Plant breeders are under continuous pressure to improve and develop new cultivars for sustainable food production. However, it takes several years to develop a new cultivar. Therefore, they have to look for new technologies, which could be combined with conventional methods to create more genetic variability, and reduce the time in developing new cultivars, with early-maturity, and improved yield. The first report on induced mutation of a gene by HJ. Muller in 1927 was a major mi1estone in enhancing variation, and also indicated the potential applica tions of mutagenesis in plant improvement. Radiation sources, such as X-rays, gamma rays and fast neutrons, and chemical mutagens (e. g. , ethyl methane sulphonate) have been widely used to induce mutations.

Until now, information on fungal protoplasts has been scattered throughout various sources. With authoritative reviews of protoplast isolation and applications in fungal biology research, Fungal Protoplasts: Applications in Biochemistry and Genetics is the first volume devoted to a major area in experimental mycology-fungal protoplasts. Written by 18 pioneering experts, this unmatched, illustrated reference presents well-established knowledge of protoplast research as well as newer ideas and methods. The book encompasses advances in protoplast isolation techniques and methodology, uses of protoplasts in physiological, biochemical, and genetic studies, and developments in protoplast fusion that form the basis for transformation and gene cloning experiments, including applications in industrial biotechnology. This fact-filled book also features end-of-chapter bibliographies for further research.

This manual provides all relevant protocols for basic and applied plant cell and molecular technologies, such as histology, electron microscopy, cytology, virus diagnosis, gene transfer and PCR. Also included are chapters on laboratory facilities, operation and management as well as a glossary and all the information needed to set up and carry out any of the procedures without having to use other resource books. It is especially designed for professionals and advanced students who wish to acquire practical skills and first-hand experience in plant biotechnology.

The idea for the p~esent book arose from a 3-day seminar which I organized in March 1984 for young research workers in plant physiology. Participants came from several universities of the French-speaking part of Switzerland and speakers from Basel, Mtinchen, Nottingham, Perpignan, Regensburg, Sheffield, Toulouse, Yale, ZUrich ... and Lausannne. The theme of the seminar was chosen from the range of research fields of our Institute. Meanwhile, feeling it was important to bear in mind that some of our hearers were not specialists in the chosen topic, I wished to pro vide a subject that would be of scientific, methodological and epistemologi cal interest. The critical analysis of the structural and functional characteristics of plant protoplasts exactly met these criteria. There exists ample material for discussion of the techniques of protoplast preparation, methods used in morphological, biological and biochemical studies, and for the comparison of protoplasts with the cells from which they are obtained.