Plant Biotechnology and Agriculture

• Preface Introduction: The scope of plant biotechnology and its impact on agricultureIntroduction to basic procedures in plant biotechnologyBreeding biotechnologies Plant germplasmControlling plant response to the environment: Abiotic stressControlling plant response to the environment: Biotic stressBiotechnological improvement of yield and quality traitsPlants as factories for industrial products, pharmaceuticals and biomaterialsPlants and crop residues for bioenergyCommercial, legal and public aspectsProspects, limitations and sociological considerations of agricultural plant biotechnologiesConcluding remarks AppendicesIndex

"This book is a highly readable compendium of comprehensive essays on the present-day state of agricultural plant biotechnology. Each chapter is written by experts from across the globe. The book begins with a discussion of the rationale for the use of biotechnology in agriculture. It then addresses the principles of crop domestication including the increasing role of biotechnology, and provides a brief overview of the biology and genetics of crop biotechnology. The rest of the book describes the techniques and technologies used in plant biotechnology. Contributors discuss research methodologies as well as biotechnology crop development practices; topics include genetic engineering, germplasm collecting, and proteomics. Special coverage is given to the role of biotechnology in alleviating food availability problems and poverty in developing nations. Each chapter ends with a brief conclusion and ample primary references. Charts, figures, and graphs support the text when appropriate. Summing Up: Recommended. All students, researchers/faculty, and professionals; informed general readers"--CHOICE, August 2012, Vol. 49, No 11, page 152