Plant genetic engineering has revolutionized our ability to produce genetically improved plant varieties. A large portion of our major crops have undergone genetic improvement through the use of recombinant DNA techniques in which microorganisms play a vital role. The cross-kingdom transfer of genes to incorporate novel phenotypes into plants has u

Plant genetic engineering has revolutionized our ability to produce genetically improved plant varieties. Large proportions of our major crops have undergone genetic improvement through the use of recombinant DNA technology, and micro-organisms play an important role in this development. The book focuses on genetic engineering of plants for horticu

In agriculture, microbial biotechnology covers a wide array of subjects ranging from biofertilizers to biological control of pests and diseases; from biological N 2 -fixation to lignocellulose degradation; from production of biomass and biofuels to genetically engineered plants. Similarly, microbial biotechnology in aquaculture touches several aspe

The application of microbial biotechnology to horticulture is of great importance, because it has the potential to increase productivity, to enhance quality and shelf-life of the produce and to develop novel techniques in food processing and for conversion of horticultural wastes into renewal energy sources. In addition, a wide array of scientific

Fish and shrimp producing industries generate huge amounts of wastes in form of viscera, scales, waste water, etc. Applications of microorganisms and/or microbesbased products have contributed significantly in solving many of these problems associated with aquaculture and waste management. This book addresses strategies for control of bacterial inf

Tuber and root crops are the third important group of food crops after cereals and pulses, feeding about one fifth of the world population. With the burgeoning population coupled with limited land, water and other resources, the future beckons tuber and root crops in fulfilling the country's food requirements. These crops have higher biological efficiency and greater adoption with profound production potential per unit area per unit time. Tuber and root crops are well known from time immemorial as nature's energy bank and famine savior. This book is conceived to have an updated version on the tuber and root crops especially in the Indian context, including information on the history, biodiversity, geographical distribution, botany, neutraceutical and pharmaceutical values, new varieties, production technologies, IPM strategies, starches, post harvest technologies and value added products, bio-processing, biotechnology, ITK and future thrusts. Various aspects of cassava, sweet potato, elephant foot yam, taro, yams, coleus, yam bean and arrow root are elucidated in 17 s and appendices. This book will be of immense use to the policy makers, scientists, post graduate and under graduate students and officials concerned with tuber and root crops research, development and extension.

Purple sweet potato (PSP) is a special type of sweet potato with high concentration of anthocyanin pigment in the root. It is rich in starch, sugar, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants like phenolics, β-carotene, and has a strong prospect as substrate for alcoholic fermentation. The low cost of sweet potato and its prospective usage in the production of alcoholic beverages make it viable for commercialization. The book reviews the use of the roots of PSP for the production of three novel products, i.e. anthocyanin rich wine (red wine), herbal/medicinal sweet potato wine, and anthocyanin rich beer which have higher health benefit than other wines and beers. The book elucidates the use of novel technologies in the preparation of this non-conventional wine and beer, processing, biochemical and organoleptic quality of the finished products and health implications. It will be of interest to innovators, researchers and students. The novel technologies in wine and beer making described in the book will set a precedence for production of other alcoholic beverages from starchy sources.