ABSTRACT
Currently, the most frequently used micropropagation method for commercial production utilizes enhanced axillary shoot proliferation from cultured meristems. This method provides genetic stability and is easily attainable for many plant species. Consequently, the shoot culture method has played an important role in development of a worldwide industry that produces more than 350 million plants annually. Besides propagation, shoot meristems are cultured
in vitro
for two other purposes: the production of pathogen-eradicated plants, and the preservation of pathogen-eradicated germplasm (Chapter 28). Concepts related to propagation by shoot and node culture will be discussed in this chapter.
