Background information and procedures for using the genus Nicotiana as experimental subjects are presented. Each chapter first surveys a topic, then, in detail, presents the associated experimental techniques .. The topics include plant propagating and hybridizing; cytogenetical techniques; organ, tissue, cell and protoplast culture; protoplast fusion and organelle transfer; selection of biochemical cell varients; virology; disease resistance; and bacterial hypersensitivity. In addition, a genetical overview is given of the genus.