FREE-RADICAL PROCESSES IN PLANT-TISSUE CULTURES - IMPLICATIONS FOR PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS

Tissue culture techniques have an important role in the genetic improv ement of crop plant species. However, genomic instability, in vitro re calcitrance, and loss of morphogenetic potential are limiting factors affecting plant biotechnology initiatives. The objectives of this revi ew are to evaluate the experimental evidence for the occurrence of fre e radical processes in plant tissue cultures. Relationships between ox idative status and in vitro plant development will be assessed and the implications that these factors may have for crop plant biotechnology explored Achieving a better understanding of free radical mechanisms in tissue cultures may have useful applications in crop plant improvem ent.