Cisgenic Crops Potential And Prospects

This book is the first attempt for in-depth compilation of current knowledge on cisgenic crops and their potential prospects as a sustainable substitute for the controversial genetically modified crops. Innovative methodologies for the development of cisgenic crops for disease resistance, improved nutritional contents, suitability for organic farming, survival under climate change, and their role in conservation of plant genetic resources have been highlighted. Combined with molecular markers and genome editing, an advanced approach for crop improvement is reported. The book has 14 chapters authored by globally leading experts on the subject. This book is useful to the students, teachers, researchers and policy planners working across the disciplines of classical plant breeding up to the recent genetically modified and genome edited crops.

This book is the first comprehensive compilation of existing knowledge on the impact of cisgenic crops on biodiversity, environment, and ecosystem. Strategies to create and access cisgenic crops, potential risks assessment, and legal implications across the globe (European Union, North and South Americas, Africa, and Asia) are enumerated. Ethics, economics, safety, social concerns, and consumer acceptance of cisgenic foods are deliberated. Policy paradigm and ways to overcome GM regulations through cisgenic crops are highlighted. The book has 12 chapters authored by internationally leading experts on the subject. This book will be useful especially for the policy makers and GMO regulators, while the students, teachers, and researchers from across the globe will be equally benefited.

Genetically engineered (GE) crops were first introduced commercially in the 1990s. After two decades of production, some groups and individuals remain critical of the technology based on their concerns about possible adverse effects on human health, the environment, and ethical considerations. At the same time, others are concerned that the technology is not reaching its potential to improve human health and the environment because of stringent regulations and reduced public funding to develop products offering more benefits to society. While the debate about these and other questions related to the genetic engineering techniques of the first 20 years goes on, emerging genetic-engineering technologies are adding new complexities to the conversation. Genetically Engineered Crops builds on previous related Academies reports published between 1987 and 2010 by undertaking a retrospective examination of the purported positive and adverse effects of GE crops and to anticipate what emerging genetic-engineering technologies hold for the future. This report indicates where there are uncertainties about the economic, agronomic, health, safety, or other impacts of GE crops and food, and makes recommendations to fill gaps in safety assessments, increase regulatory clarity, and improve innovations in and access to GE technology.

This volume provides an overview of the current state of plant genomics using a number of different approaches at a time when we celebrate the completion of the Arabidopsis genome sequence and begin the transition from structural to functional studies of this and other plant genomes. Topics covered include comparative genomics, computational approaches to gene identification and annotation and data management, high throughput methodologies for functional analysis at the levels of transcript, protein and metabolite, and methods for genome modification by both homologous and site-specific recombination. The book will provide a good introduction to some of the many aspects of genomics both for established plant biologists who wish to understand this rapidly developing area and for scientists early in their careers. It is also very suitable for a one-semester course in Plant Genomics at the upper-level undergraduate/graduate student level, where the individual chapters provide a framework that can be readily expanded by use of some of the many articles in the bibliographies.

Breeding Disease-Resistant Horticultural Crops is a complete and comprehensive resource for understanding the concept of breeding disease resistant crops, especially horticultural crops. Breeders of horticultural crops face distinct challenges that are different from agronomy/row crops, and these crops do not benefit from the vast body of literature available for agronomic crops. This book covers the basic theories that underpin breeding for disease resistance and features extensive real-world examples. Both classical and biotechnical breeding methods are covered, with an emphasis on how these methods are adapted for horticultural species. Presented in a logical flow for the reader, this book addresses historical perspectives and context as it relates to breeding for disease resistance. It highlights treatments of resistance in the context of the phenotype, the genotype, the pathogen, the environment interaction, sources of resistance, and the deployment of resistance to obtain a durable resistance. Explores the definition of horticultural "resistance", how it is inherited, and how resistance can be manipulated through breeding Highlights the importance of the interaction among crops, pathogens, and environmental elements Provides the latest references and insights as a foundation for further research

Genetic Engineering of Horticultural Crops provides key insights into commercialized crops, their improved productivity, disease and pest resistance, and enhanced nutritional or medicinal benefits. It includes insights into key technologies, such as marker traits identification and genetic traits transfer for increased productivity, examining the latest transgenic advances in a variety of crops and providing foundational information that can be applied to new areas of study. As modern biotechnology has helped to increase crop productivity by introducing novel gene(s) with high quality disease resistance and increased drought tolerance, this is an ideal resource for researchers and industry professionals. Provides examples of current technologies and methodologies, addressing abiotic and biotic stresses, pest resistance and yield improvement Presents protocols on plant genetic engineering in a variety of wide-use crops Includes biosafety rule regulation of genetically modified crops in the USA and third world countries

The book covers the latest development in the biosciences field covering key topics in crop improvement including ‘omic approaches to improving sustainable crop production, advancement in marker technology, strategies in genetic manipulation, crop quality and sustainability and plant microbe interaction detailing on proven technologies to address critical issue for agricultural sustainability which are beneficial for researchers and students. The book also includes aspects of preserving crops after harvest as this is a key factor in promoting sustainable crop quality in terms of addressing waste, choosing the appropriate packaging and moving crops through the food and industrial supply chain. An important strategy to overcome the challenges in providing food for the world population in a sustainable manner is through concerted efforts by crop scientists to embrace new technologies in increasing yield, quality and improving food safety while minimizing adverse environmental impact of the agricultural activities. Most of the proven molecular and genetic technologies in crop science have been tested and verified in model plants such as Arabidopsis and tomato. The technologies, when deployed on various plant species of importance for human nutrition and industrial applications, including cereals, vegetables, fruits, herbs, fibre and oil crops, face many challenges, not only due to their longer life cycle but many other physiological and environmental factors affecting yield and quality of plant products. Furthermore, major impacts on crop production due to catastrophic diseases and global climate change needs urgent and innovative solutions. Therefore a systematic approach, employing various leading-edge technologies that enable the functional elucidation of key pathway genes via ‘omics tools, genome wide association with desired phenotypes and development of cost effective and practicable molecular tools for selection, is vital. The International Conference on Crop Improvement was held to address these and other pressing issues. This volume summarizes the keynote presentations from the meeting and highlights addition discussions that are critical to crop improvement in a challenging time.

The improvement of crop species has been a basic pursuit since cultivation began thousands of years ago. To feed an ever increasing world population will require a great increase in food production. Wheat, corn, rice, potato and few others are expected to lead as the most important crops in the world. Enormous efforts are made all over the world to document as well as use these resources. Everybody knows that the introgression of genes in wheat provided the foundation for the “Green Revolution”. Later also demonstrated the great impact that genetic resources have on production. Several factors are contributing to high plant performance under different environmental conditions, therefore an effective and complementary use of all available technological tools and resources is needed to meet the challenge.