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Genetic Engineering of Plants for Crop Improvement discusses current genetic engineering methods for plants and addresses the commercial opportunities for transgenic plants. Topics covered include Agrobacterium-mediated transformations, the use of electroporation, PEG-mediated transformation, microinjection, the microprojectile bombardment method, and the electrical discharge particle acceleration method. A concise account of the resistance of transgenic plants to insect attack, viral infection, and herbicides has also been provided. Possibilities for genetic manipulation for proteins that have superior nutritional properties are discussed, and a brief account of tests confirming the safety and commercial validity of transgenic plants is included. Genetic Engineering of Plants for Crop Improvement provides valuable information for researchers and students in plant biotechnology, plant gene manipulation, molecular biology, and all areas of the life sciences. ... Read more

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The International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), the legal successor to the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR), is an autonomous international scientific organization operating under the aegis of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). IPGRI’s mandate is to advance the conservation and use of plant genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations. IPGRI works in partnership with other organizations, undertaking research, training and the provision of scientific and technical advice and information, and has a particularly strong programme link with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Financial support for the coré programme of IPGRI was provided in 1994 by the World Bank and the Governments of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the USA. ... Read more

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Over the past decade the importance of natural resources for sustainable agricultural development has been increasingly discussed at international forums and conferences. Aside from the sustainable management of soil, water, and air, it now seems to be accepted that the sustainable management of genetic resources is one of the four indispensable preconditions for a sustainable agriculture. The discussion on conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), however, has to reflect the costs of conservation as well. These have not yet been discussed intensively. The study analyzes the conservation costs of plant genetic resources; it also assesses the effectiveness of conservation and the efficiency of the different conservation instruments. It is based on extensive surveys in relevant countries. Following the detailed cost and impact analysis, the results show that the effectiveness of conservation strategies may be increased. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

It's exceptionally good!
I read about this book and find this book a very helpful in my training programme in utilization ofplant genetic resources in germany.At first I was looking for such book that I can have all the information about thegenetic resources I found in this book.Thanks. ... Read more

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The increasing population and enhanced standard of living are placing greater demands on food-related requirements in terms of quantity, quality and diversity. The Green Revolution which significantly enhanced productivity of important food crops, nevertheless, resulted in certain fallouts as genetic erosion, soil degradation, chemical pollution and aquifer depletion. Amongst these, decrease in plant genetic diversity is an irreversible loss. As the basic raw material for future plant breeding, plant genetic resources of foodgrains are the key to future food security. Though, plant breeding has attracted the attention of many authors, plant genetic resources remain somewhat neglected. This book gives an overall perspective current status of genetic resource of important foodgrain crops (wheat, rice, maize, barley, sorghum, millets, pulses and legumes and underutilized crops). It provides a comprehensive compilation on current status of information on origin, taxonomy, diversity, collection, exchange, evaluation, utilization, molecular characterization and conservation for food grain crops. Eminent scientists and crop specialists have critically analyzed the information in view of the present and future research priorities. In addition, management issue related to plant genetic resources are also discussed. At present such information on these crops is lacking and this book fills in the void. It shall serve as reference for genetic resource managers, researchers, teachers, students and policy makers in biology and agriculture. ... Read more

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This volume is a compilation of the presentations of the 6thInternational Plant Cold Hardiness seminar at the Unitas CongressCenter in Helsinki, Finland, held 1st--5th July, 2001. Theoverall goal of the volume is to acknowledge the research findings andto provide a pivotal resource for scientists and researchers activelyengaged in studying plant freezing and chilling stress. Chapterauthors are researchers who have had significant contribution to theknowledge of plant cold hardiness. ... Read more

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The preservation of different plant varieties and valuable species is an important prerequisite for successful plant breeding. All relevant techniques required to maintain viable plant cells or organs in vitro over extended periods of time are presented in this manual. A maximum level of genetic stability during storage is taken as an overriding priority in each of the techniques.
Each chapter is written as a "hands-on" practical guide and presents procedures that can be adapted to suit individual laboratory conditions and modified to best suit the particular material beeing preserved. ... Read more

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The book presents a comprehensive review of modern andclassical aspects of distant hybridization. Emphasis isgivenon crossability relationships, presyngamic and postsyngamicbarriers, methods to overcome the barriers, useof distantspecies to develop disease, insect, pest and stressresistantvarieties, methods of transferring resistance genesfromwild species to cultivated varieties, selection procedure inthe progenies of distant hybrids, and synthesis of new cropspecies. In addition, various aspects of biotechnology,somatic cell hybridization, molecular biology and geneticengineering for the utilization of wild species arediscussed. It is an excellent source ofreference for researchers and advanced studentsworking on plant breeding, genetics, andagriculture. ... Read more

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This book provides a fascinating account of the accumulated knowledge of the mechanisms by which plants regulate their patterning. This is an exciting subject based on a novel endeavor, not least due to the rapid progress made in recent years in the diverse fields of genetics, molecular biology, microscopy, inter- and intracellular signaling, as well as our intimate knowledge of model plants (such as Arabidopsis).This book is unique in that it provides, in one volume, comprehensive information on all the main organs of flowering plants. There is no other book similar to this, written by a single author, that has been published in the last 10 years.The book contains updated information on the differentiation of the plant organs with respect to structure and molecular genetics, and the methodologies employed to investigate plant patterning are described in detail. Extensively illustrated with numerous figures, many of which are in color, the book will appeal to three main groups of readers: novices interested in plant patterning; plant biologists requiring a comprehensive understanding of differentiation in flowering plants; and graduate students in advanced courses. ... Read more

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Genetic erosion, that is, the loss of native plant and geneticdiversity has been exponential from the Mediterranean Basin throughthe Twentieth century. This careless eradication of species andgenetic diversity as a result of human activities from a 'hot-spot' ofdiversity threatens sustainable agriculture and food security for thetemperate regions of the world. Since the early 1900s there has been alargely ad hoc movement to halt the loss of plant diversity andenhance its utilisation. The Convention on Biological Diversity andFood and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations InternationalUndertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, both highlight the need toimprove conservation methodologies and enhance utilisation techniques.

It has been argued that the most important component of biodiversityis the genetic diversity of crop and forage species used to feedhumans and livestock. These cultivated and related wild speciesprovides the raw material for further selection and improvement. Leguminosae species are of major economic importance (peas, chickpeas,lentils and faba beans, as well as numerous forage species) andprovide a particularly rich source of protein for human and animalfoods. Their distribution is concentrated in the Mediterranean regionand therefore the improvement of their conservation and use in theregion is critical.

This text is designed to help ensure an adequate breadth of legumediversity is conserved and to help maximise the use of that conserveddiversity. The subjects of conservation and use of legume diversity,the Mediterranean ecosystem and taxonomy of legumes are introduced.Generic reviews of the taxonomy, centre of diversity, ecogeographicdistribution, genetic diversity distribution, conservation status,conservation gaps and future research needs are provided, along with adiscussion of the importance of rhizobia to the maintenance of legumediversity. Current ex situ and in situ conservation activities as wellcurrent legume uses are reviewed. In conclusion future priorities forex situ and in situ plant genetic conservation and use ofMediterranean legumes are highlighted. All contributors look forwardrather than simply reviewing past and current activities and thereforeit is hoped that the identification of genetic erosion, location oftaxonomic and genetic diversity and promotion of more efficientutilisation of conserved material will be enhanced. ... Read more

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This two-volume text features plastid nucleic acid and protein synthesis, photosynthetic apparatus genes, proteins, pigments, structure, and function and plastid and photosynthetic apparatus envelope and development. ... Read more

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Eleven plants were chosen so as to cover a wide range of biological characteristics (perennial, annual, autogamous, allogamous, etc.) in this study. Three chapters on methodology complement these studies. The first is devoted to the use of biological and molecular markers to analyse the diversity of collections, the second addresses data analysis, and the third describes a method for constituting core collectaions based on maximization of variability. ... Read more

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Genetic Resources of Mediterranean Pasture and ForageLegumes is a comprehensive review of grassland improvement inMediterranean areas using legume species. The book includes a detailedaccount of the processes involved in understanding the ecology oflegumes and their collection in the Mediterranean, through to theirpreliminary evaluation and storage at various Genetic ResourceCentres. A generic conspectus and key to the forage legumes of theMediterranean basin is also included. These proceedings are trulyinternational with examples on the collection and use of Mediterraneangenetic resources being illustrated by Genetic Resource Centres inAustralia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Syria, Turkey and Tunisia. Currentimportant issues such as the sustainability of Mediterraneangrasslands, the risk of genetic erosion and the principles ofpopulation genetics employed during a collecting mission arediscussed. The book will be of value to researchers working in the fields ofgrassland and rangeland improvement, Mediterranean farming systems,genetic resources, and pasture and forage ecology. ... Read more