ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses methods of somatic cell culture and selection already in place for other grasses and cereals that could be of use for tall fescue improvement. It traces the major events associated with somatic embryo development from early stages through germination and discusses various interpretations of embryogenesis. Embryogenic cultures, in particular, offer a novel alternative to conventional use of seeds for studies of embryo development. Somatic embryos develop without the obscuring endosperm, nucellus, and seedcoat that are present in developing seed. The chapter also discusses explants and media proven successful for producing embryogenic cultures from various grasses and cereals. It describes the ability to regenerate certain cereal and a grass plant from protoplasts allows development of somatic hybridization technology using protoplast fusion and facilitates certain aspects of genetic engineering. The chapter examines new advances in somatic cell genetics of the Poaceae.
