Plant Biotechnology

Description

Plant Biotechnology presents a balanced, objective exploration of the technology behind genetic manipulation, and its application to the growth and cultivation of plants. The book describes the techniques underpinning genetic manipulation and makes extensive use of case studies to illustrate how this influential tool is used in practice.

• Successfully places the science in context by addressing the broader issues surrounding the GM crop debate, ensuring a balanced overview of the subject area is presented
• Case studies and keynote boxes establish the agricultural and commercial background to this technology, giving students a wider view of the subject, and facilitating learning and revision
• Guides the student from the fundamentals of the subject through to predicted developments of the future, providing a complete learning vehicle from concepts and methodology to the latest thinking
• Major focus on current issues affecting society and predicted future GM developments encourages students to engage with the broader issues surrounding genetic manipulation
• Online Resource Centre provides a range of accompanying materials for instructors and students, enriching the learning experience by providing access to the most recent developments in the field of plant biotechnology

New to this edition

• New two-colour text design helps differentiate between the learning features and makes the text more inviting
• New introduction helps set the scene as to where the GM crop debate stands currently
• New chapter 'Beyond GM crops' surveys the latest and predicted developments in GM crops
• Re-focused chapter 12 'Science and society: the public acceptance of GM crops' updates the information surrounding commercial planting, regulation and public acceptance, plus aspects of genomic technology such as TILLING, giving the student further insights in to the socioeconomic and ethical issues associated with this technology
• New marginal key points and cross references encourage reflection on key topics and themes, increasing the value of the text as a learning tool.
• New glossary of key terms is a ready reference for those unfamiliar with the subject's jargon.

About the Author(s)

Adrian Slater, Deputy Director of the Norman Borlaug Institute for Plant Science Research, De Montfort University, Nigel Scott, Principal Lecturer in plant molecular biology, Norman Borlaug Institute for Plant Science Research, De Monfort University, and Mark Fowler, Senior lecturer in plant molecular biology, Norman Borlaug Institute for Plant Science Research, De Monfort University

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

Reviews

"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 practise." - CABI