BookSatabir Singh Gosal, Shabir Hussain Wani, editors.
Summary: 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.
Contents:
Intro; Dedication; Foreword; Preface; Contents; Contributors; About the Editors;
Chapter 1: Plant Genetic Transformation andTransgenic Crops: Methods andApplications; 1.1 Introduction; 1.2 Making Transgenic Plants; 1.2.1 Gene Transfer Methods inPlants; 1.2.2 Characterization ofPutative Transgenic Plants; 1.2.2.1 Phenotypic Assay; 1.2.2.2 Enzyme Assays; 1.2.2.3 PCR Analysis; 1.2.2.4 Southern Blot Analysis; 1.2.2.5 Western Blot Analysis; 1.2.2.6 Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Technologies; 1.2.2.7 Progeny Analysis; 1.2.2.8 Bioassay; 1.3 Engineering Crops forAgronomic Traits. 1.3.1 Development ofInsect-Resistant Plants1.3.1.1 Introduction ofBacterial Gene(s); 1.3.1.2 Introduction ofPlant Gene(s) forInsecticidal Proteins; 1.3.2 Development ofDisease-Resistant Plants; 1.3.2.1 Virus Resistance; Coat Protein-Mediated Resistance (CP-MR); Satellite RNA-Mediated Resistance; Antisense-Mediated Protection; Development ofResistance Using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology; 1.3.2.2 Fungal Resistance; Antifungal Protein-Mediated Resistance; Antifungal Compound-Mediated Resistance; 1.3.2.3 Bacterial Resistance; 1.3.3 Development ofHerbicide-Resistant Plants. 1.3.3.1 Transfer ofGene Whose Enzyme Product Detoxifies theHerbicide (Detoxification)1.3.3.2 Transfer ofGene Whose Enzyme Product Becomes Insensitive toHerbicide (Target Modification); 1.3.4 Development ofPlants Resistant toVarious Abiotic Stresses; 1.3.5 Development ofMale Sterile andRestorer Lines forHybrid Seed Production; 1.3.6 Improvement in Nutritional Quality andMolecular Farming/Pharming; 1.3.7 Biosafety Concerns ofTransgenic Plants; References. 2.5 Conclusion andFuture PerspectivesReferences;
Chapter 3: RNA Interference: APromising Approach forCrop Improvement; 3.1 Introduction; 3.2 RNA Interference (RNAi): siRNAs andmiRNAs; 3.3 RNAi forCrop Improvement; 3.3.1 Biotic Stress Resistance; 3.3.2 Abiotic Stress Tolerance; 3.3.3 Increasing Nutritional Value; 3.3.4 Increase inShelf Life ofFruits; 3.3.5 Production ofSeedless Fruits; 3.3.6 Modification ofFlower Color; 3.3.7 Development ofMale Sterile Lines; 3.3.8 Production ofSecondary Metabolites; 3.3.9 Removal ofAllergens fromFood Crops; 3.3.10 Change inPlant Architecture.
Chapter 2: Virus Induced Gene Silencing Approach: APotential Functional Genomics Tool forRapid Validation ofFunction ofGenes Associated withAbiotic Stress Tolerance inCrop Plants2.1 Introduction; 2.2 Application ofVIGS Technology to Study Function ofGenes Responsive toVarious Abiotic Stresses; 2.2.1 Drought, Salinity, andOsmotic Stress Tolerance; 2.3 Advantages ofUsing VIGS to Study Abiotic Stress Tolerance Mechanisms inCrop Plants; 2.4 Limitations ofVIGS inStudying Abiotic Stress Tolerance Mechanisms andPossible Approaches toOvercome theLimitations.