This book discusses basic andapplied aspects of somatic embryogenesis, one of the most powerful tools inplant biotechnology. It is divided into three parts; Part I includes topicssuch as the history of this research field, how differentiated plant cells can(re)acquire totipotency, molecular features, as well as the epigenetics andproteomics of somatic embryogenesis. Part II coversthe somatic embryogenesis of different crops, such as Agave spp. maize, Cocos nucifera, Bixa orellanaCapsicum spp., Coffea spp., Musa spp., Pinus spp., and Arabidopsis thaliana. Various applications, like scale-up propagationand genetic engineering are discussed in detail in Part III. The book will appealto plant scientists, plant breeders and experts working in industry.

Leading scientists review the state of the art of somatic embryogenesis

SomaticEmbryogenesis. An Overview.- The History of Somatic Embryogenesis.- The Many Ways of Somatic EmbryoInitiation.- TranscriptomeProfile of Somatic Embryogenesis.- Transcription Factors in the Regulation ofSomatic Embryogenesis.- Epigenetic Advances in Somatic Embryogenesis inSequenced Genome Crops.- The Current Status of Proteomic Studies in SomaticEmbryogenesis.- Plant Fidelity in Somatic Embryogenesis-Regenerated Plants.- TheRelationship Between Stress and Somatic Embryogenesis.- The role of the auxinsduring somatic embryogenesis.- Somatic embryogenesis in Arabidopsis.- MaizeSomatic Embryogenesis: Agronomic Features for Improving Crop Productivity.- Somatic Embryogenesis in Annatto (Bixa orellanaL.).- SomaticEmbryogenesis inCapsicumspp..- SomaticEmbryogenesis inCoffeaspp..- Somatic Embryogenesis inAgavespp..- Somatic Embryogenesis inAgave: an overview.- SomaticEmbryogenesis inCocosnuciferaL..- Somatic embryogenesis for moreeffective breeding and deployment of improved varieties inPinusspp.: bottlenecks and recent advances.- Direct and indirectsomatic embryogenesis in mango ginger (CurcumaamadaRoxb.).- SomaticEmbryogenesis in BananaMusassp..- Somatic embryogenesis inJatrophacurcas.The Uses of Somatic Embryogenesis for GeneticTransformation.- Somatic embryogenesis in Temporary Immersion Bioreactors.- Applicationof Somatic Embryogenesis to Secondary Metabolite-Producing Plants.- Histologyand Histochemistry of Somatic Embryogenesis.- Laser Assisted Microdissection toStudy Global Transcriptional Changes During Plant Embryogenesis.