Book Reviews

In vitro Embryogenesis of Plants is volume 20 of the book series Current Plant Science and Biotechnology in Agriculture. This series is intended for a broad range of readers from advanced students to senior research scientists. Volume 20 addresses the topic of in vitro embryogenesis more in width than in depth. It gives a wealth of references, mostly from lists of species of regenerated plants, which together represent 70% of the book. Chapters are devoted to zygotic, asexual, haploid and somatic embryos, their culture, morphogenetic, physiological, histochemical and molecular biological aspects. Most chapters are a summing-up of explant choices, media manipulation, physical environmental conditions and case studies. The book does not add much to needed insight in the relevant processes of morphogenesis and its manipulation and leaves the reader with the feeling that the field is still in trial and error.