Introduction; Current status of tree improvement; Cryopreservation and in vitro storage; Molecular markers; In vitro selection; Genetic Engineering; Somaclonal Variation; Protoplast Fusion; Haploid cultures; In Vitro rescue; Micro-propagation; In Vitro control of the maturation state; General conclusions.

In the Indian context; papers of a workshop.

Applied plant genomics and biotechnology reviews the recent advancements in the post-genomic era, discussing how different varieties respond to abiotic and biotic stresses, investigating epigenetic modifications and epigenetic memory through analysis of DNA methylation states, applicative uses of RNA silencing and RNA interference in plant physiology and in experimental transgenics, and plants modified to produce high-value pharmaceutical proteins. The book provides an overview of research advances in application of RNA silencing and RNA interference, through Virus-based transient gene expression systems, Virus induced gene complementation (VIGC), Virus induced gene silencing (Sir VIGS, Mr VIGS) Virus-based microRNA silencing (VbMS) and Virus-based RNA mobility assays (VRMA); RNA based vaccines and expression of virus proteins or RNA, and virus-like particles in plants, the potential of virus vaccines and therapeutics, and exploring plants as factories for useful products and pharmaceuticals are topics wholly deepened. The book reviews and discuss Plant Functional Genomic studies discussing the technologies supporting the genetic improvement of plants and the production of plant varieties more resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses. Several important crops are analysed providing a glimpse on the most up-to-date methods and topics of investigation. The book presents a review on current state of GMO, the cisgenesis-derived plants and novel plant products devoid of transgene elements, discuss their regulation and the production of desired traits such as resistance to viruses and disease also in fruit trees and wood trees with long vegetative periods. Several chapters cover aspects of plant physiology related to plant improvement: cytokinin metabolism and hormone signaling pathways are discussed in barley; PARP-domain proteins involved in Stress-Induced Morphogenetic Response, regulation of NAD signaling and ROS dependent synthesis of anthocyanins. Apple allergen isoforms and the various content in different varieties are discussed and approaches to reduce their presence. Euphorbiaceae, castor bean, cassava and Jathropa are discussed at genomic structure, their diseases and viruses, and methods of transformation. Rice genomics and agricultural traits are discussed, and biotechnology for engineering and improve rice varieties. Mango topics are presented with an overview of molecular methods for variety differentiation, and aspects of fruit improvement by traditional and biotechnology methods. Oilseed rape is presented, discussing the genetic diversity, quality traits, genetic maps, genomic selection and comparative genomics for improvement of varieties. Tomato studies are presented, with an overview on the knowledge of the regulatory networks involved in flowering, methods applied to study the tomato genome-wide DNA methylation, its regulation by small RNAs, microRNA-dependent control of transcription factors expression, the development and ripening processes in tomato, genomic studies and fruit modelling to establish fleshy fruit traits of interest; the gene reprogramming during fruit ripening, and the ethylene dependent and independent DNA methylation changes. - provides an overview on the ongoing projects and activities in the field of applied biotechnology - includes examples of different crops and applications to be exploited - reviews and discusses Plant Functional Genomic studies and the future developments in the field - explores the new technologies supporting the genetic improvement of plants

Assists policymakers in evaluating the appropriate scientific methods for detecting unintended changes in food and assessing the potential for adverse health effects from genetically modified products. In this book, the committee recommended that greater scrutiny should be given to foods containing new compounds or unusual amounts of naturally occurring substances, regardless of the method used to create them. The book offers a framework to guide federal agencies in selecting the route of safety assessment. It identifies and recommends several pre- and post-market approaches to guide the assessment of unintended compositional changes that could result from genetically modified foods and research avenues to fill the knowledge gaps.

Biotechnology has come to a stage where, by replacing some of the age old practices of breeding, it can produce novel and improved plants and animals that can better serve human beings and their purposes. The techniques of cellular and subcellular engineering, such as gene splicing and recombinant DNA, cloning, hybridomas and monoclonal anti bodies, production of human insulin, protein engineering, industrial fermentation, artificial insemination, cryopreservation and ovum trans fer, plant tissue culture and somatic hybridization, nitrogen fixation, phytomass production for biofuels etc have advanced greatly in the past decade, due to the availability of better equipment and the consolida tion of knowledge. Product orientation has removed biotechnology from the area of pure academic interest to one of utility where the final product is a spur to action. Businesses have started pouring money into projects, which has aided greatly in improving equipment, information exchange, and arousing the interest and imagination of the public. The common goal of science, industry and the public opens wide vistas and great hopes for biotechnology. The business of biotechnology addresses itself to issues of factory farming, technology transfer, joint ventures, international cooperation and to specific topics as well as the produc tion of diagnostic kits. Industry is particularly concerned with the phar maceutical field and microbial biotechnology from which profitable return§ can accrue. Commercial interests have led to better management practices and systematisation.

2. IMPORTANCE OF NITROGEN METABOLISM 2. 1. Range of naturally occurring nitrogenous components in forest trees 2. 2. Gene expression and mapping 2. 3. Metabolic changes in organized and unorganized systems 2. 4. Nitrogen and nutrition 2. 5. Aspects of intermediary nitrogen metabolism 3. NITROGEN METABOLISM IN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 3. 1. Precultural factors 3. 2. Callus formation 3. 3. Cell suspensions 3. 3. 1. Conifers 3. 3. 2. Acer 3. 4. Morphogenesis 3. 4. 1. Nitrogen metabolism of natural embryos 3. 4. 2. Somatic embryogenesis 3. 4. 2. 1. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) 3. 4. 2. 2. Douglar-fir and loblolly pine 3. 4. 3. Organogenesis 4. OUTLOOK 11. CARBOHYDRATE UTILIZATION AND METABOLISM - T. A. Thorpe 325 1. INTRODUCTION 2. NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS 3. CARBOHYDRATE UPTAKE 4. CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM 4. 1. Sucrose degradation 4. 2. Metabolism of other carbon sources 4. 3. Hexose mobilization and metabolism 4. 3. 1. Cell cycle studies 4. 3. 2. Growth studies 4. 3. 3. Organized development 4. 4. Cell wall biogenesis 4. 4. 1. Primary cell walls 4. 4. 2. Cell wall turnover 4. 4. 3. Secondary cell walls 4. 5. Carbon skeleton utilization 5. OSMOTIC ROLE 6. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS 369 12. THE USE OF IN VITRO TECHNIQUES FOR GENETIC MODIFICATIO~FOREST TREES - E. G. Kirby 1. INTRODUCTION 2. IN VITRO SELECTION 2. 1. Natural variation 2. 2. Induction of variation 2. 3. Selection techniques 2. 4. Plant regeneration 2 . • 5. Applications x 3. SOMATIC HYBRIDIZATION 3. 1.

During the past 15 years, cellular and molecular approaches have emerged as valuable adjuncts to supplement and complement conventional breeding methods for a wide variety of crop plants. Biotechnology increasingly plays a role in the creation, conservation, characterization and utilization of genetic variability for germplasm enhancement. For instance, anther/microspore culture, somaclonal variation, embryo culture and somatic hybridization are being exploited for obtaining incremental improvement in the existing cultivars. In addition, genes that confer insect- and disease-resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, herbicide tolerance and quality traits have been isolated and re-introduced into otherwise sensitive or susceptible species by a variety of transgenic techniques. Together these transformative methodologies grant access to a greater repertoire of genetic diversity as the gene(s) may come from viruses, bacteria, fungi, insects, animals, human beings, unrelated plants or even be artificially derived. Remarkable achievements have been made in the production, characterization, field evaluation and commercialization of transgenic crop varieties worldwide. Likewise, significant advances have been made towards increasing crop yields, improving nutritional quality, enabling crops to be raised under adverse conditions and developing resistance to pests and diseases for sustaining global food and nutritional security. The overarching purpose of this 3-volume work is to summarize the history of crop improvement from a technological perspective but to do so with a forward outlook on further advancement and adaptability to a changing world. Our carefully chosen “case studies of important plant crops” intend to serve a diverse spectrum of audience looking for the right tools to tackle complicated local and global issues.