ABSTRACT
Cell technological approaches could be an effective alternative in genetic modulation of crop plants. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) holds enormous potential especially due to its key role as a recipient of alien genes in genetic transformation to develop transgenics (Potrykus 1990); in micropropagation and production of synthetic seeds. Nevertheless, conventional plant breeding has been the major route in increasing crop productivity. Genetic improvement through the incorporation of gene/s responsible for resistance to disease and insect pests, adverse environment and energy intensive management practices has efficiently exploited the available germplasms through better partitioning of biomass
into products of economic use and with improved stability of performance of the cultivars (Chopra and Narasimhulu 1990).
