Plant Biotechnology and Genetics : Principles, Techniques and Applications

by Stewart, C. Neal

• ISBN13: 9780470043813
• ISBN10: 0470043814
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-06-02
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience

Summary

Designed to inform and inspire the next generation of plant biotechnologists Plant Biotechnology and Genetics explores contemporary techniques and applications of plant biotechnology, illustrating the tremendous potential this technology has to change our world by improving the food supply. As an introductory text, its focus is on basic science and processes. It guides students from plant biology and genetics to breeding to principles and applications of plant biotechnology. Next, the text examines the critical issues of patents and intellectual property and then tackles the many controversies and consumer concerns over transgenic plants. The final chapter of the book provides an expert forecast of the future of plant biotechnology. Each chapter has been written by one or more leading practitioners in the field and then carefully edited to ensure thoroughness and consistency. The chapters are organized so that each one progressively builds upon the previous chapters. Questions set forth in each chapter help students deepen their understanding and facilitate classroom discussions. Inspirational autobiographical essays, written by pioneers and eminent scientists in the field today, are interspersed throughout the text. Authors explain how they became involved in the field and offer a personal perspective on their contributions and the future of the field. The text's accompanying CD-ROM offers full-color figures that can be used in classroom presentations with other teaching aids available online. This text is recommended for junior- and senior-level courses in plant biotechnology or plant genetics and for courses devoted to special topics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also an ideal reference for practitioners.

Author Biography

C. Neal Stewart Jr. PhD, holds the Racheff Chair of Excellence in Plant Molecular Genetics and is a Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Dr. Stewart serves on the editorial boards of BMC Biotechnology, Sensors, and Trends in Plant Science, and is an Associate Editor for In Vitro Developmental and Cellular Biology—Plant.

Table of Contents

Preface

Foreword to Plant Biotechnology and Genetics

Contributors

Plant Agriculture: The Impact of Biotechnology

Chapter Summary and Objectives

Summary

Discussion Questions

Introduction

Biotechnology Crops Plantings

Why Farmers Use Biotech Crops

Herbicide-Tolerant Crops

Insect-Resistant Crops

Conclusion

How the Adoption of Plant Biotechnology Has Impacted the Environment

Environmental Impacts from Changes in Insecticide and Herbicide Use

Impact on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Conclusions

References

Mendelian Genetics and Plant Reproduction

Chapter Summary and Objectives

Summary

Discussion Questions

Genetics Overview

Mendelian Genetics

Law of Segregation

Law of Independent Assortment

Mitosis and Meiosis

Mitosis

Meiosis

Recombination

Cytogenetic Analysis

Plant Reproductive Biology

History of Research

Mating Systems

Sexual Reproduction

Asexual Reproduction

Mating Systems Summary

Hybridization and Polyploidy

Conclusion

References

Plant Breeding

Chapter Summary and Objectives

Summary

Discussion Questions

Introduction

Central Concepts in Plant Breeding

Simple versus Complex Inheritance

Phenotype versus Genotype

Mating Systems, Varieties, Landraces, and Pure Lines

Other Topics in Population and Quantitative Genetics

The Value of a Plant Variety Depends on Many Traits

Varieties Must Be Adapted to Environments

Plant Breeding Is a Numbers Game

Plant Breeding Is an Iterative and Collaborative Process

Diversity, Adaptation, and Ideotypes

Other Considerations

Objectives for Plant Breeding

Methods of Plant Breeding

Methods of Hybridization

Self-Pollinated Species

Outcrossing Species

Synthetic Varieties

Hybrid Varieties

Clonally Propagated Species

Breeding Enhancements

Doubled Haploidy

Marker-Assisted Selection

Mutation Breeding

Apomixis

Conclusions

References

Plant Development and Physiology

Chapter Summary and Objectives

Summary

Discussion Questions

Plant Anatomy and Morphology

Embryogenesis and Seed Germination

Gametogenesis

Fertilization

Fruit Development

Embryogenesis

Seed Germination

Photomorphogenesis

Meristems

Shoot Apical Meristem

Root Apical Meristem and Root Development

Leaf Development

Leaf Structure

Leaf Development Patterns

Flower Development

Floral Evocation

Floral Organ Identity and the ABC Model

Hormone Physiology and Signal Transduction

Seven Plant Hormones and Their Actions

Plant Hormone Signal Transduction

Auxin and GA Signaling

Cytokinin and Ethylene Signaling

Brassinosteroid Signal Transduction

Conclusions

References

Tissue Culture: The Manipulation of Plant Development

Chapter Summary and Objectives

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