Synopses & Reviews
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 Crop 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 this influential tool is used in practice.
Review
"
Reviews from previous edition Misinformation is rife, sadly, and there is a clear need for good sources of accurate and appropriate accounts of plant biotechnology development. Adrian Slater, Nigel Scott and Mark Fowler have produced just such a textbook, providing a critical appraisal of the genetic manipulation of crop plants for advanced undergraduate study and the postgraduate student market."--
W. Paul Davies, Annals of Botany, Vol. 94. No 4, October 2004.UNEDITED UK
Review
"Quite simply this is a superb book and a valuable resource for all those with an interest in the genetic modification of plants, either as students of the science or potential consumers of the produce. In short a great book, well worth the money."--
Microbiology Today, Vol. 31, February 2004, p45."In short, this great volume is very scientific, quite simply a joy to read, and is worth having." -- Quarterly Review of Biology
Review
About the Author
Adrian Slater is the Deputy Director of the Norman Borlaug Institute for Plant Science Research at De Montfort University, UK
Nigel Scott is a principal lecturer in plant molecular biology in the Norman Borlaug Institute for Plant Science Research at De Montfort University, UK
Mark Fowler is a senior lecturer in plant molecular biology in the Norman Borlaug Institute for Plant Science Research at De Montfort University, UK
Table of 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