Biotechnology of Ornamental Plants

Ornamental plants include herbaceous plants produced as bedding plants, greenhouse pot plants and cut flowers, as well as bulbs, trees, shrubs and vines. Ornamental plant production is of increasing importance worldwide. Basic scientific research has provided a better understanding of plant regeneration, genetics, growth and development. This has led to the development of technologies which may improve ornamental species. This text reviews advances in the biotechnology of ornamentals. For example, genes have been identified for flower characteristics and pest resistance and these have been engineered into ornamental species. The book is divided into four main parts. It is aimed primarily at workers in horticulture and plant biotechnology, but should also be of interest to plant physiologists, geneticists and molecular biologists.