This volume contains 37 chapters contributed by international experts. It deals with various aspects of the biotechnology of wheat, including in vitro methods, somatic embryogenesis, micropropagation, wide hybridization and embryo culture, production of haploids and the release of varieties, somaclonal variation and mutations, nutritional improvement, protoplast culture, transient gene expression, and the cryopreservation of germoplasm. Special emphasis has been laid on in vitro production of haploids, somaclonal variation, and wide hybridization. These methods have been sufficiently refined and can now be used by plant breeders to generate genetic variability - a prerequisite for future wheat improvement programmes.