Plant Chimeras

Book excerpt: This book, which was originally published in 1986, introduces the reader to the main steps in the analysis of chimeras, explains their structural and developmental basis, and the ways of classifying and manipulating them. The twelve chapters separate types of chimeras according to their origin - by grafting or polyploidy; their structure - sectorial or periclinal; or according to the varied parts of the plant most affected - tubers, leaves, flowers or fruit. Throughout the book care is taken to distinguish between the activity of the growing-point in determining chimera structure, and the role of gene expression in determining appearance. Examples of the experimental uses of chimeras are given and of the valuable role they can play in studying fundamental questions of anatomical development; the disadvantages of chimeras in mutation breeding are discussed too.