Plant Biotechnology The genetic manipulation of plants

About this book

Throughout history, humankind has pursued means to improve the yield of crop plants through selective plant breeding and hybridization. Today, genetic manipulation provides a powerful tool for directing plant breeding. But how is genetic manipulation implemented? What benefits can it offer? And what are the broader issues surrounding the use of this technology?

The second edition of Plant Biotechnology: the genetic manipulation of plants presents a balanced, objective exploration of the technology behind genetic manipulation, and the application of this technology to the growth and cultivation of plants. The book describes the techniques underpinning genetic manipulation in a clear, lucid manner, and makes extensive use of case studies to illustrate how this influential tool is used in practice. Key themes and strategies are developed using appropriate case studies, which place the science behind plant biotechnology in its broader agricultural context.

Contents

1. The organisation and expression of plant genes; 2. Plant tissue culture; 3. Techniques for plant transformation; 4. Vectors for plant transformation; 5. The genetic manipulation of herbicide tolerance; 6. The genetic manipulation of pest resistance; 7. Plant disease resistance; 8. Reducing the effects of viral diseases; 9. Strategies for stress tolerance; 10. The improvement of crop yield and quality; 11. Molecular farming/'pharming'; 12. Science and society: the public acceptance of GM crops; 13. Beyond GM crops

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