Recent advances in our understanding of the mineral (and carbohydrate)
nutrition of cultured plant cells and tissues are reviewed. The metho
ds used for empirical selection of nutrient composition of culture med
ia for different plant general species and types of culture are critic
ally evaluated. The acquisition of nutrients is discussed in terms of
their physical availability in the culture medium and uptake from the
medium. The effect on uptake of factors such as pH and water potential
and the relationship with growth rates and medium depletion am examin
ed in detail. Finally, some effects of nutrients on morphogenesis of p
lants are reviewed.