A comprehensive and groundbreaking collection of ideas for plant improvement Most of the world's supply of legumes is cultivated under adverse conditions that make this commercially important crop susceptible to the vagaries of nature and damaging stresses. Genetic manipulation has become a proven way for cultivators to battle these pro

Comprehensive in its approach, this book presents the latest research on all aspects of genetically modified legume production. With contributions from over 90 international experts, this eye-opening resource offers an in-depth exploration of key topics such as genetic transformation technology, suppression-subtractive hybridization, c-DNA micro arrays, molecular mapping, tagging regulatory elements, and real-time PCR. The text also features a wealth of detailed references and informative tables to clearly explain pertinent data. With groundbreaking essays from some of the discipline's most renowned experts, it is a source for up-to-date accounts of genetic manipulation but their uses.

A comprehensive and groundbreaking collection of ideas for plant improvement Most of the world’s supply of legumes is cultivated under adverse conditions that make this commercially important crop susceptible to the vagaries of nature and damaging stresses. Genetic manipulation has become a proven way for cultivators to battle these problems; but there has been a lack of reliable information on the practical aspects of this promising method. Handbook of New Technologies for Genetic Improvement of Legumes fills this void by providing a vast array of groundbreaking essays from some of the discipline’s most renowned experts. This unique collection is your single source for not only the most up-to-date accounts of genetic manipulation employed today, but also ideas for realistic and practical uses. Comprehensive in its approach, Handbook of New Technologies for Genetic Improvement of Legumes presents the latest research on all aspects of genetically modified legume production. With contributions from over 90 international experts, this eye-opening resource offers an in-depth exploration of key topics such as, genetic transformation technology, suppression-subtractive hybridization, c-DNA micro arrays, molecular mapping, tagging regulatory elements, and real-time PCR. Additionally, this text features a wealth of detailed references and informative tables to clearly explain pertinent data. Chapters in Handbook of New Technologies for Genetic Improvement of Legumes detail both family- and species-specific topics such as: • agrobacterium-mediated transformation in trifolium and medicago • biotechnological approaches to soybean improvement • transgenic approaches for enhancement of vitamin E • particle bombardment and SAAT approaches • agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation and in vitro regeneration • plant regeneration via organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, and protoplast culture • somaclonal variation and its exploitation • cotyledonary node and embryo axes as explants • in planta transformation of pisum sativum l. • de novo regeneration protocol • reverse genetic approaches in medicago truncatula • tagging regulatory elements in plants • gene expression analysis with DNA array technology • advent of diverse DNA markers to decipher genome sequence polymorphism • defensins in legumes • legume-nematode interaction with reference to model legumes • and much, much more! Handbook of New Technologies for Genetic Improvement of Legumes is an invaluable resource for researchers and educators in the area of plant genetic manipulation and plant biotechnology as well as scientists, educators, and graduate students focusing on the genetic manipulation of legumes.

​​​This book is devoted to grain legumes and include eight chapters devoted to the breeding of specific grain legume crops and five general chapters dealing with important topics which are common to most of the species in focus. Soybean is not included in the book as it is commonly considered an oil crop more than a grain legume and is included in the Oil Crops Volume of the Handbook of Plant Breeding.​Legume species belong to the Fabaceae family and are characterized by their fruit, usually called pod. Several species of this family were domesticated by humans, such as soybean, common bean, faba bean, pea, chickpea, lentil, peanut, or cowpea. Some of these species are of great relevance as human and animal food. Food legumes are consumed either by their immature pod or their dry seeds, which have a high protein content. Globally, grain legumes are the most relevant source of plant protein, especially in many countries of Africa and Latin America, but there are some constraints in their production, such as a poor adaptation, pest and diseases and unstable yield. Current research trends in Legumes are focused on new methodologies involving genetic and omic studies, as well as new approaches to the genetic improvement of these species, including the relationships with their symbiotic rhizobia.

Genetic improvement has played a vital role in enhancing the yield potential of vegetable crops. There are numerous vegetable crops grown worldwide and variable degrees of research on genetics, breeding and biotechnology have been conducted on these crops. This book brings together the results of such research on crops grouped as alliums, crucifers, cucurbits, leaf crops, tropical underground and miscellaneous. Written by eminent specialists, each chapter concentrates on one crop and covers cytology, genetics, breeding objectives, germplasm resources, reproductive biology, selection breeding methods, heterosis and hybrid seed production, quality and processing attributes and technology. This unique collection will be of great value to students, scientists and vegetable breeders as it provides a reference guide on genetics, breeding and biotechnology of a wide range of vegetable crops.

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.

A reference text with the latest information and research for educators, students, and researchers! World hunger and malnutrition remain an alarming concern that spurs researchers to develop quality technology. The Handbook of Seed Science and Technology is an extensive reference text for educators, students, practitioners, and researchers that focuses on the underlying mechanisms of seed biology and the impact of powerful biotechnological approaches on world hunger, malnutrition, and consumer preferences. This comprehensive guide provides the latest available research from noted experts pointing out the likely directions of future developments as it presents a wealth of seed biology and technological information. Seed science is the all-important foundation of plant science study. The Handbook of Seed Science and Technology provides an integrative perspective that takes you through the fundamentals to the latest applications of seed science and technology. This resource provides a complete overview, divided into four sections: Seed Developmental Biology and Biotechnology; Seed Dormancy and Germination; Seed Ecology; and Seed Technology. The Handbook of Seed Science and Technology is extensively referenced and packed with tables and diagrams, and makes an essential source for students, educators, researchers, and practitioners in seed science and technology.