Plant Cell and Tissue Culture has become major tool in the study of an increasing number of fundamental and applied programmes in the Plant sciences. Its increasing use to investigate Cell and Developmental Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Genetics and Molecular Biology is providing new knowledge about fundamental characteristic of plants. Furthermore, it has become an integral part of Plant Biotechnology research as scientists in various universities, research institutions and number of private companies pursue the development of improved plants for agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

The National symposium on recent advances in Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology was held in December 1994 at the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur to provide a comprehensive national forum for discussion of the latest developments in this rapidly growing field. More than 300 participants attending the symposium from various universities, research institute sand companies from all over the country provided clear evidence that research in this field has expanded rapidly in the last about two decades, a total of 70 scientific papers and more than 150 posters covering virtually all aspects of current research in the field were presented.   The   number  of developments reported in these presentations and the chapters in this volume clearly indicate that he technology is moving forward on a broad front. Particular significance has been the development of gene transfer technology and the rapidly expanding investigation of the molecular biology of plants in the recent years

The content of this volume reflects the organization of the symposium which was divided into broad subjects areas. These subjects were discussed at length in concurrent sessions. The chapters in the volume were written by leading expeits in the field. Some of the chapters will provide the reader with a broad review of recent developments and progress in the field of tissue culture. It is hoped that he wide range of authoritative reviews and views presented by the authors in this volume will provide a useful and exciting stimulus to researchers and students in the