Plant Propagation: Concepts and Laboratory Exercises

Edited by two of the leading experts in the field, this hands-on resource develops a working knowledge of the principles of plant propagation, as they apply in temperate and tropical environments. In addition to presenting the essential fundamentals, this carefully conceived work provides proven protocols and practices that students will be able to apply in their laboratory and field experiences.

All of the main concepts presented in the text are supported with carefully chosen laboratory and greenhouse exercises that the authors have used successfully in teaching situations. These exercises illustrate propagation concepts, while providing students with basic propagation skill sets.

While the book is designed to meet the needs of plant science classes, it contains enough practical and up-to-date information and detailed protocols to serve the reference needs of those who continue to be active in plant science research.

Prolific in their research, writing, and teaching, Caula Beyl and Robert Trigiano are highly respected for their cutting edge investigative work across a wide area of plant science. Well rooted in the discipline of traditional plant propagation, their pioneering investigations have covered nearly every aspect of plant science from horticulture and plant tissue culture to biotechnology, molecular analysis, and plant physiology.

Contents

Part I: Introduction
Introduction to Plant Propagation

Part II: Structures for Plant Propagation
Propagation Structures: Types and Management
Holistic Thought Process for the Design of Propagation Facilities
Intermittent Mist Control for Plant Propagation

Part III: Plant Propagation Media and Containers
Media and Containers for Seed and Cutting Propagation and Transplanting
Physical Properties and Other Factors When Selecting Propagation Media
Media for Cutting Propagation

Part IV: Plant Propagation Diseases and the Importance of Sanitation
Disease Management
Disinfestation of Soil and Planting Media
Botrytis and Other Propagation Pathogens
Crop Certification Programs and the Production of Specific Pathogen-Free Plants
Integrated Pest Management for Plant Propagation Systems

Part V: Evaluation of Propagated Plants
Evaluation of Data from Propagation Experiments

Part VI: General Concepts for Successful Vegetative Propagation
Plant Growth Regulators Used in Propagation
Juvenility and Its Affect on Macro- and Micropropagation
Chimeras

Part VII: Propagation by Stem Cuttings
Cloning Plants by Rooting Stem Cuttings
Anatomical and Physiological Changes That Occur during Rooting of Cuttings
Use of Auxins in Root Cuttings
Adventitious Rooting of Woody and Herbaceous Plants
Rooting Cuttings of Tropical Plants
Care and Management of Stock Plants

Part VIII: Propagation by Leaf and Root Cuttings
Adventitious Shoot and Root Formation on Leaf and Root Cuttings
Propagation by Leaf Cuttings
Propagation of Sumac by Rooting Cuttings

Part IX: Layering
Layering

Part X: Grafting and Budding
Grafting: Theory and Practice
Grafting and Budding Exercises with Woody and Herbaceous Species

Part XI: Bulbs and Plants with Special Structures
Storage Organs
Propagating Selected Flowerbulb Species

Part XII: Micropropagation
Micropropagation
Getting Started with Tissue Culture: Media Preparation, Sterile Technique, and Laboratory Equipment
Micropropagation of Mint (Mentha spp.)
Micropropagation of Tropical Root and Tuber Crops
Micropropagation of Woody Plants

Part XIII: Seed Production and Propagation
Sexual Reproduction in Angiosperms
Breeding Horticultural Plants
Seed Production, Processing, and Analysis
Environmental Factors Affecting Seed Germination
Producing Seedlings and Bedding Plants
Practices to Promote Seed Germination: Scarification, Stratification, and Priming

Part XIV: In Conclusion: Special Topics
Myths of Plant Propagation
Intellectual Property Protection for Plants

Index