Biotechnologies of Crop Improvement, Volume 2

During the past 15 years, cellular and molecular approaches have emerged as valuable adjuncts to supplement and complement conventional breeding methods for a wide variety of crop plants. Biotechnology increasingly plays a role in the creation, conservation, characterization and utilization of genetic variability for germplasm enhancement. For instance, anther/microspore culture, somaclonal variation, embryo culture and somatic hybridization are being exploited for obtaining incremental improvement in the existing cultivars. In addition, genes that confer insect- and disease-resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, herbicide tolerance and quality traits have been isolated and re-introduced into otherwise sensitive or susceptible species by a variety of transgenic techniques. Together these transformative methodologies grant access to a greater repertoire of genetic diversity as the gene(s) may come from viruses, bacteria, fungi, insects, animals, human beings, unrelated plants or even be artificially derived. Remarkable achievements have been made in the production, characterization, field evaluation and commercialization of transgenic crop varieties worldwide. Likewise, significant advances have been made towards increasing crop yields, improving nutritional quality, enabling crops to be raised under adverse conditions and developing resistance to pests and diseases for sustaining global food and nutritional security. The overarching purpose of this 3-volume work is to summarize the history of crop improvement from a technological perspective but to do so with a forward outlook on further advancement and adaptability to a changing world. Our carefully chosen "case studies of important plant crops" intend to serve a diverse spectrum of audience looking for the right tools to tackle complicated local and global issues.

During the past 15 years, cellular and molecular approaches have emerged as valuable adjuncts to supplement and complement conventional breeding methods for a wide variety of crop plants. Biotechnology increasingly plays a role in the creation, conservation, characterization and utilization of genetic variability for germplasm enhancement. For instance, anther/microspore culture, somaclonal variation, embryo culture and somatic hybridization are being exploited for obtaining incremental improvement in the existing cultivars. In addition, genes that confer insect- and disease-resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, herbicide tolerance and quality traits have been isolated and re-introduced into otherwise sensitive or susceptible species by a variety of transgenic techniques.  Together these transformative methodologies grant access to a greater repertoire of genetic diversity as the gene(s) may come from viruses, bacteria, fungi, insects, animals, human beings, unrelated plants or even be artificially derived.  Remarkable achievements have been made in the production, characterization, field evaluation and commercialization of transgenic crop varieties worldwide. Likewise, significant advances have been made towards increasing crop yields, improving nutritional quality, enabling crops to be raised under adverse conditions and developing resistance to pests and diseases for sustaining global food and nutritional security.  The overarching purpose of this 3-volume work is to summarize the history of crop improvement from a technological perspective but to do so with a forward outlook on further advancement and adaptability to a changing world.  Our carefully chosen &quote;case studies of important plant crops&quote; intend to serve a diverse spectrum of audience looking for the right tools to tackle complicated local and global issues.

1. Plant Genetic Transformation and Transgenic Crops: Methods and Applications.- 2. Virus Induced Gene Silencing Approach: A Potential Functional Genomics Tool for Rapid Validation of Function of Genes Associated with Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crop Plants.- 3. RNA interference: A Promising Approach for Crop Improvement.- 4. RNAi for Resistance against Biotic Stresses in Crop Plants.- 5. RNAi approach: a powerful technique for gene function studies and enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants.- 6. Antifungal Plant Defensins: Insights into Modes of Action and Prospects for Engineering Disease Resistant Plants.- 7. Transgenic Plants for Improved Salinity and Drought Tolerance.- 8. Engineering Disease Resistance in Rice.- 9. Genetic Transformation of Sugarcane and Field Performance of Transgenic Sugarcane.- 10. Insect Smart Pulses for Sustainable Agriculture.- 11. Genetic Transformation of Millets: The Way Ahead.- 12. Transgenic Research on Tomato: Problems, Strategies and Achievements.- 13. Genetic Transformation in Eucalyptus.- 14. Transgenic Manipulation of Glutamine Synthetase: A Target with Untapped Potential in Various Aspects of Crop Improvement.- 15. Understanding the Phytohormones Biosynthetic Pathways for Developing Engineered Environmental Stress-Tolerant Crops.- 16. Transgenic Crops: Status, Potential and Challenges.