Current Plant Science and Biotechnology in Agriculture – serie
Visar alla böcker i serien Current Plant Science and Biotechnology in Agriculture. Handla med fri frakt och snabb leverans.
79 produkter
79 produkter
Inbunden, Engelska, 1990
2 178 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
Plants are an important source of food and of valuable products for industry, agriculture and medicine. They are unique in many aspects of metabolic processes, development and reproduction. Most of these aspects can now be studied by the modern methods and technolo gies of molecular and cellular biology. Such studies are also encouraged as to improve plant yield and quality. During the past decade research in plant sciences has demonstrated the feasibility of plant cell and tissue culture techniques as major tools in biology and agriculture. These techniques are also essential in strategies for engineering of biological systems. The proceedings of the VII International Congress on Plant Tissue and Cell Culture in Amsterdam show that in recent years an impressive progress has been achieved. The papers of the congress, with more than 2000 participants, include the full text of plenary lectures, keynote lectures and presentations of speakers who have been selected out of more than 1400 abstracts. This combination, which provides readers with reviews as well as recent findings and future developments, captures an important part of the scientific exchange during the congress. The papers in these proceedings are a reflection of the role of plant cell and tissue culture in disciplines varying from plant breeding to molecular biology. Basic as well as applied studies in a variety of plant disciplines are presented in 4 sections: (1) Genetic manipulation and propagation, (2) Morphogenesis and metabolism, (3) Secondary metabolites and (4) Biotechnology and developing countries.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1991
2 178 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
Research on the interaction between plants and microbes has attracted considerable attention in recent years. The use of modem genetic techniques has now made possible a detailed analysis both of plant and of microbial genes involved in phytopathogenic and beneficial interactions. At the biochemical level, signal molecules and their receptors, either of plant or of microbial origins, have been detected which act in signal transduction pathways or as co-regulators of gene expression. We begin to understand the molecular basis of classical concepts such as gene-for-gene relationships, hypersensitive response, induced resistance, to name just a few. We realize, and will soon exploit, the tremendous potential of the results of this research for practical application, in particular to protect crop plants against diseases and to increase crop yield and quality. This exclung field of research, which is also of truly interdisciplinary nature, is expanding rapidly. A Symposium series has been devoted to it which began in 1982. Recently, the 5th International Symposium on the Molecular Genetics of Plant-Microbe Interactions was held in Interlaken, Switzerland. It brought together 640 scientists from almost 30 different countries who reported their latest research progress in 47 lectures, 10 short oral presentations, and on over 400 high-quality posters. This book presents a collection of papers that comprehensively reflect the major areas under study, explain novel experimental approaches currently in use, highlight significant advances made over the last one or two years but also emphasize the obstacles still ahead of us.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1991
875 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
Häftad, Engelska, 1991
550 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
The purpose of this book is to bring together the most recent knowledge concerning the genetic improvement of ornamental plant species. Active researchers of many aspects of the genetics and breeding of these species have written chapters organized into three sections: Cytogenetics, Quantitative Genetics and Molecular Genetics. These titles identify the basic tools used in a variety of breeding situations. Some are traditional and well established; others offer new and exciting challenges for the future. vii Introduction The purpose of this book is to bring together recent knowledge concerning the genetic improvement of ornamental plant species. In the 20th century flower breeding has become widespread leading to many improvements in phenotypic and production characteristics of ornamental species. These methods depends on the creation and subsequent selection of genetic vari ability. Lack of variability in gene pools has been a chief limitation to the success of flower breeding. Recent progress in molecular biology makes it possible to add genetically well-defined characteristics to gene pools, thus increasing the potential for genetic improvement. These methods also enable the specific silencing of genetic information to accomplish an intentional loss of function. This book compiles current knowledge of the cytogenetics, quantitative genetics, and molecular genetics of ornamental plant species. The three sections identify the basic tools used in a variety of breeding situations.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1992
7 354 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
THe current growing interest of molecular biologists in plant hormone research is a promisisng development. Many papers were presented during the 14th International Conference on Plant Growth Substances illustrating the impact of this new approach on our understanding of hormone-controlled processes. The specific character is the integrated study of plant growth regulation at all levels ranging from single molecules to the entire plant and its functioning in the environment. Hormones play an essential role in the regulation, but not an exclusive one. Other compounds and factors, such as CA2+, for instance are often of equal relevance, because they may take part in the single transduction pathway. Moreover, regulation of the regulator by non-hormonal factors is an essential part of any control mechanism. This present volume reflects the change in interest from plant growth substances to plant growth regulation.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1992
2 178 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
Research on the interaction between plants and microbes continues to attract increasing attention, both within the field as well as in the scientific community at large. Many of the major scientific journals have recently reviewed various aspects of the field. Several papers dealing with plant-microbe interactions have been featured on the covers of scientific publications in the past several months, and the lay press have recently presented feature articles of this field. An additional sign of the interest in this field is that the International Society of Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions has almost 500 members. This book is a collection of the papers that were given at the Sixth Inlernational Symposium on the Molecular Genetics of Plant-Microbe Interactions which was held in Seattle, Washington in July, 1992. Approximately 650 scientists attended and approximately 50 lectures covering the topics of Agrobacterium-plant interactions, Rhizobium-plant interactions, bacteria-plant interactions, fungal-plant interactions and new aspects of biotechnology were presented. In addition, many sessions were devoted to the plant response to the microbe. Over 400 posters were presented of which the authors of 20 were selected to give an oral presentation. These papers are included in this volume as well. The symposium also included speakers whose research interests are not directly related to plant-microbe interactions but who are at the cutting edge of research areas that impact on the theme of the symposium. These individuals kindly agreed to summarize their talks and their papers are also included.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1993
2 178 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
The present volume contains the proceedings of the First Asia-Pacific Conference on Agricultural Biotechnology, Beijing, China, August 20-24, 1992. The book brings together scientists working in different fields of agricultural biotechnology to stimulate discussion on this important process and to have an appraisal of the most recent studies concerning genetic manipulation of plants, plant cell and tissue culture, plant gene regulation, plant-microbe interaction, animal biotechnology and more. This volume presents the contributions of the lectures and a selected number of posters, which together give an up-to-date account of the state of knowledge on agricultural biotechnology. The book provides a reference source not only for specialists in agricultural biotechnology, but also for researchers working on related aspects of agronomy, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, microbiology and animal sciences.
2 178 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
The International Symposium on "Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Biosynthesis and Action of the Plant Hormone Ethylenc" ,vas held in Agen, France from August 31 st and September 4th, 1992. The planning and management of the scientific and social programme of the Conference were carried out jointly by the "Ethylene Research Group" of ENSAlIN"P (Toulouse) and Agropole Congres Service (Agen). Since the last meetings in Israel (1984) and in Belgium (1988), ethylene physiology has gone through a period of exciting progress due to new developments in cellular and molecular bioiogy. New methods and tools have been developed to better understand the role and functions of ethylene in fruit ripening, flower senescence, abscission, piant growth, and cell differentiation. Genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis have been characterized and transgenic plants with altered ethylene production have been generated. The feasibility of delaying fruit ripening or flower senescence by genetic manipulation is now demonstrated, thus opening new perspectives for the postharvest handling of plant products. Some progress has also been made on the understanding of ethylene action. However, much remains to be done in this area to elucidate the ethylene signal transduction pathway. Around 140 scientists from 20 countries attended the Symposium. They presented 47 oral reports and 40 poster demonstrations. All of them are published in these proceedings. It has been a pleasure for us to organize this important Symposium and to edit this book.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1993
3 263 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
In order to understand a process as complex as nitrogen fixation and to be in a position to manipulate it for the benefit of mankind, researchers are now working at the frontiers of science in many different areas: protein structure and function; catalytic mechanisms; electron transfer processes; regulatory circuits and environmental sensing; metabolic integration, chemical communication between organisms, differentiation, genome structure and function; microbial ecology-, plant physiology; plant molecular biology; and agronomy. This volume represents a testimony to the advances in nitrogen fixation research that have been made and the contribution of these efforts to the solution of many other varied scientific problems. Limiting steps for future advances are analyzed and research are proposed.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1993
1 635 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
This volume contains the proceedings of an international symposium on the durability of disease resistance in plants. Durability of resistance in plants is a highly desired quality influenced, among other things, by the adaptability of the pathogen populations, cultivation methods, phytosanitation and the kind of resistance used. The chapters cover a wide variety of subjects, ranging from the analysis of some of the world's most important pathosystems; the genetic variation in pathogen populations and the variation in the hosts; the present efforts at breeding durable resistance, viewed from both the biotechnological and the classical approaches, is also covered. This volume provides an opportunity for all those scientists, breeders and pathologists who are interested in the durability of disease resistance to obtain an insight into the research that is currently going on world-wide.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1994
875 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
The Second International Food Legume Research Conference (IFLRC-II) was held from 12-16 April 1992 in Cairo, Egypt. Five cool season food legume crops were included in the deliberations: pea (Pisum sativum), lentil (Lens culinaris), faba bean (Vicia faba), chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and grasspea (Lathyrus sativus). The principal objectives of IFLRC-II were to review and assess recent results from national and international research programmes on cool season food legumes and to develop strategies for increasing the productivity, improving the quality and extending the use of these crops in different farming systems. Topics in both basic and applied research were addressed and multidisciplinary research efforts were emphasized.The papers published here are organized according to subject areas: processing and animal feeds; climate change and biotic and abiotic stresses; host plant resistance to manage biotic stresses; policy incentives; breeding methods and selection indices; infrastructural support; cool season food legume breeding; management to control biotic and abiotic stresses; biotechnology and gene mapping; crop physiology and productivity; and farmers' constraints and on-farm research. Sessions devoted to regional discussion groups and to the continuation of the IFLRC concept were also included. A conference summary is presented by Professor Eric Roberts.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1995
2 174 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
This text aims to exclusively focus on the topic as the demonstration of totipotency in plants, somatic and haploid embryogenesis is of importance to all those working on or interested in basic and applied aspects of plantlet information and regeneration. The text includes comprehensive reviews written by experts, on all facets of in vitro and in vivo embryogenesis. Some chapters deal with the morphogenic, structural and developmental, physiological and biochemical, and molecular biological aspects of the subject. Chapters are also devoted to haploid embryogenesis, asexual embryogenesis in nature, zygotic embryogenesis, and zygotic embryo culture. Detailed tables summarizing successful somatic embryogenesis in all vascular plants are also included. This book, therefore, aims to bring together information to provide a useful reference book for both active researchers, graduate students and anyone interested in this aspect of tissue culture technology and plant development.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1994
2 174 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
Several fundamental advances were announced at the Seventh International Symposium on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions held in Edinburgh in 1994. These included the cloning and identification of plant resistance genes involved in recognition of pathogens; the description of genetically engineered plants with novel resistance to pathogens; characterization of the molecular basis of pathogenicity of fungal and bacterial plant pathogens; and the mechanisms of communication used during recognition between symbiotic rhizobia and their host legumes. Participants in the Symposium contributed a series of papers that represent the leading edge of research in this important area of plant and microbial science. These articles are brought together to form this book, which should be useful reading for research workers, advanced students and others interested in keeping abreast of this rapidly developing area.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1995
3 258 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
Plant cell and tissue culture is a relevant area of experimental biology that has been developed for some decades to become an indispensable tool of plant biotechnology. Progress in this area, sometimes tumultuous, has been regularly recorded by the proceedings of the congresses of the International Association for Plant Tissue Culture which have been held every four years in several continents. This book reports plenary lectures, keynote lectures and invited oral presentations given at the last congress held in Florence. It is a useful reference guide both for established scientists and students on both traditional and emerging fields of plant biology. The following topics are covered: In vitro Culture and Plant Regeneration; Plant Propagation; Haploids; Somatic Hybridisation; Reproductive Systems; Genetic Variability; Gene Transfer; Organelles; Biotechnology of Tropical and Subtropical Species; Agronomic Traits; Somatic Embryogenesis; Meristems; Cell Surface; Growth Regulators; Reception and Transduction of Signals; Gene Expression under Extreme Conditions; Primary Metabolism; Secondary Metabolism; Transport; Large Scale Production.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1996
2 174 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
The 18 chapters making up "In Vitro Haploid Production in Higher Plants" are divided into two sections. Section 1 (eight chapters) covers historical and fundamental aspects of haploidy in crop improvement. Section 2 deals with methods of haploid production, including anther culture, micropore culture, ovary culture, pollination with irradiated pollen, in vitro pollination and special culture techniques, including polyhaploid production in the Triticeae by sexual hybridization, the influence of ethylene and gelling agents on anther culture, conditional lethal markers, and methods of chromosome doubling.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1996
2 174 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
This second volume of "In Vitro Haploid Production in Higher Plants" is broadly concerned with special applications and phenomena uniquely associated with haploid plants and their derivation. The first section (18 chapters) covers such topics as: genetic stability of microspore-derived doubled haploids; transformation of pollen and microspores; gametoclonal variation; bread-making quality of wheat doubled haploids; DNA amplification of doubled haploids; RFLP mapping with haploids; genetics of green plant regeneration from anther culture; combining mutation breeding with haploidy for the improvement of rapeseed; segregation distortion among anther-derived plants; chromosome engineering; self-incompatibility and pollen rejection; statistical models for the detection of quantitative trait loci; haploid protoplasts; gametosomatic hybrids; potential of using dihaploid/diploid genotypes in breeding potato by somatic hybridization; cryopreservation; prospects of microspore-derived embryos for artificial seeds; and the future prospects for crop improvement through anther and microspore culture.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1996
2 174 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
Since the beginning of agricultural production, there has been a continuous effort to grow more and better quality food to feed ever increasing popula tions. Both improved cultural practices and improved crop plants have alIowed us to divert more human resources to non-agricultural activities while still increasing agricultural production. Malthusian population predictions continue to alarm agricultural researchers, especially plant breeders, to seek new technologies that will continue to allow us to produce more and better food by fewer people on less land. Both improvement of existing cultivars and development of new high-yielding cultivars are common goals for breeders of alI crops. In vitro haploid production is among the new technologies that show great promise toward the goal of increasing crop yields by making similar germplasm available for many crops that was used to implement one of the greatest plant breeding success stories of this century, i. e. , the development of hybrid maize by crosses of inbred lines. One of the main applications of anther culture has been to produce diploid homozygous pure lines in a single generation, thus saving many generations of backcrossing to reach homozygosity by traditional means or in crops where self-pollination is not possible. Because doubled haploids are equivalent to inbred lines, their value has been appreciated by plant breeders for decades. The search for natural haploids and methods to induce them has been ongoing since the beginning of the 20th century.
3 842 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
Nitrogen fixation research uses the methods of and accumulating data from fundamental branches of biology and chemistry. These include: catalytic mechanisms; protein structure and function; molecular organization of genes and the regulation of their activities; biochemistry of plants and micro-organisms; the signalling and surface interactions between organisms; microbial taxonomy and evolution; formal and population genetics; and ecology. The relationships between biological nitrogen fixation research and different branches of applied biology are addressed and analyzed, such as: the monitoring of genetically engineered micro-organisms, selection of plant-associated microbes, plant breeding, increasing the protein content of crops, providing ecologically safe food production, and diminishing the chemical pollution of the environment.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1996
1 633 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
Red clover (Trifolium pratenseL. ) is an important forage of most ofthe tem- perate regions of the world, and atone time was the most importantlegume for hay in the United States. Oddly enough,red clover has never been the subject ofa monograph, although its culture has been discussed in many monograph chapters in the United States and Europe, perhaps beginning with those of Westgate and Hillman ina USDAFarmers Bulletin in 1911and early Swedish publications. The monograph "CloverScience and Technology" published in 1985 provides coverage of red clover along with other Trifolium species. It was theobjective of thepresentmonograph, "Red Clover Science" toexamine the literature published on red clover primarily after 1984. Perhaps the tim- ing of this publication is appropriate with the present interest in sustainable agriculture ofwhich red clover was so prominent in the past. Red clover and other forage legumes are valuable for reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, and for reducing pollution of our soil, water, and atmosphere primarily from use of chemical nitrogen and other fertilizers.In each chapter, an attempt was made to summarize the earlierinformation and to integrate the recent findings into this background. References earlier than 1984 are included only when necessary for historical purposes. No attempt was made to review the many aspects of clover culture that has been described thoroughly in earlier pub- lications. The literature covered is necessarily worldwide becauseofpresent greater emphasis in northern Eurasia than in United States.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1996
1 633 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
Since the beginning of agricultural production, there has been a continuous effort to grow more and better quality food to feed ever increasing popula tions. Both improved cultural practices and improved crop plants have allowed us to divert more human resources to non-agricultural activities while still increasing agricultural production. Malthusian population predictions continue to alarm agricultural researchers, especially plant breeders, to seek new technologies that will continue to allow us to produce more and better food by fewer people on less land. Both improvement of existing cultivars and development of new high-yielding cultivars are common goals for breeders of all crops. In vitro haploid production is among the new technologies that show great promise toward the goal of increasing crop yields by making similar germplasm available for many crops that was used to implement one of the greatest plant breeding success stories of this century, i. e. , the development of hybrid maize by crosses of inbred lines. One of the main applications of anther culture has been to produce diploid homozygous pure lines in a single generation, thus saving many generations of backcrossing to reach homozygosity by traditional means or in crops where self-pollination is not possible. Because doubled haploids are equivalent to inbred lines, their value has been appreciated by plant breeders for decades. The search for natural haploids and methods to induce them has been ongoing since the beginning of the 20th century.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1997
1 633 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
This fifth and final volume on "In Vitro Haploid Production in Higher Plants" comprises 13 chapters and is divided into three sections. Most chapters are crop specific and each chapter contains an introduction about the selected plant, the techniques (anther culture, microspore culture, ovary/ovule culture) that have been successfully used for haploid production, the factors that have influenced the success of these techniques, the identification and genetic characterization of haploid regenerants, the application of haploids in breeding, and a brief conclusion on the potential of haploid breeding in the specific crop. The chapters contained in Section 1 focus on selected oil crops, including linseed (Linum usitatissimum), sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and niger (Guizotia abyssinica). Section 2 deals with ornamental plants including Petunia, lily (Lilium spp.), tulip (Tulipa spp.) and Camellia (japonica).
Inbunden, Engelska, 1997
5 426 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
The Fifth International Workshop on Seeds was held at the University of Reading, UK, from 10 to 15 September, 1995. Some 230 seed scientists, from a wide range of disciplines (botanists, biochemists, ecologists, agriculturalists, foresters, and commercial seedsmen), from 31 countries (Europe, the Americas, and Asia) participated in the workshop. A large number of oral and poster presentations was made during the workshop and we are pleased to publish so many of them in these Proceedings. The papers herein are listed by the sessions in which they were presented but, as is often the case, many papers cover a broader range of topics than the session titles imply. For seed physiologists, ecologists, and technologists, this book collates much of the current research on seeds.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1997
3 258 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
The refinement of molecular techniques and the development of new probes of the phylogeny of diazotrophs has revealed an extreme biodiversity among the nitrogen fixers, which helps explain the role that nitrogen fixation plays in maintaining life on Earth. The most efficient ecosystems are those in which the bacteria are associated with a plant in differentiated organs to benefit crop productivity. Most short-term benefit from fundamental research on nitrogen fixation is likely to result in the improvement of existing nitrogen-fixing symbiotic or associative systems. Longer-term efforts are aimed at extending the nitrogen-fixing capacity to other organisms, including transfer of the genetic information for efficient nitrogen fixation into the plant genome and using current knowledge of microbe-plant interactions to extend symbiosis to cereals and, in particular, to rice. Related challenges in sustainable agriculture and forestry include the creation of new nitrogen-fixing associations. All of these topics were discussed at the 11th International Congress on Nitrogen Fixation, held in Paris in July 1997, the proceedings of which are presented in this book.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1998
3 258 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
Genetic variability is an important parameter for plant breeders in any con ventional crop improvement programme. Very often the desired variation is un available in the right combination, or simply does not exist at all. However, plant breeders have successfully recombined the desired genes from cultivated crop gerrnplasm and related wild species by sexual hybridization, and have been able to develop new cultivars with desirable agronomie traits, such as high yield, disease, pest, and drought resistance. So far, conventional breeding methods have managed to feed the world's ever-growing population. Continued population growth, no further scope of expanding arable land, soil degradation, environ mental pollution and global warrning are causes of concern to plant biologists and planners. Plant breeders are under continuous pressure to improve and develop new cultivars for sustainable food production. However, it takes several years to develop a new cultivar. Therefore, they have to look for new technologies, which could be combined with conventional methods to create more genetic variability, and reduce the time in developing new cultivars, with early-maturity, and improved yield. The first report on induced mutation of a gene by HJ. Muller in 1927 was a major mi1estone in enhancing variation, and also indicated the potential applica tions of mutagenesis in plant improvement. Radiation sources, such as X-rays, gamma rays and fast neutrons, and chemical mutagens (e. g. , ethyl methane sulphonate) have been widely used to induce mutations.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1999
2 174 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
A comprehensive review of grassland improvement in Mediterranean areas using legume species, including a detailed account of the processes involved in understanding the ecology of legumes and their collection in the Mediterranean, through to their preliminary evaluation and storage at various genetic resource centres. A generic conspectus and key to the forage legumes of the Mediterranean basin is also included. Issues such as the sustainability of Mediterranean grasslands, the risk of genetic erosion and the principles of population genetics employed during a collecting mission are discussed. The book should be useful to researchers working in the fields of grassland and rangeland improvement, Mediterranean farming systems, genetic resources, and pasture and forage ecology.
Inbunden, Engelska, 2000
2 174 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
Food legumes (pulses) playa role in human nutrition and more recently as animal feed, in the developing world. They contain minerals and vitamins essential for a balanced diet in humans. In many developing countries food legumes provide the necessary protein and amino acids (in predominantly vegetarian India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka) and supplement the protein diet of people in other countries. Since 1980-82 per capita consumption has declined by 6 % in developing countries where relative pulse prices have gone up and consumption of animal protein (eg milk) has increased. The importance of legumes as animal feed is increasing. The compound growth rate for feed use during 1980-95 was 7. 97% compared to 1. 5% growth for food use during the same period (Kelly et aI. , 1997). As an integral part of farming systems, food legumes, in rotation with cereals and tuber crops, assist in maintaining soil fertility and the sustainability of production systems (Rego et aI. , 1996). Owing to higher prices in comparison with cereals, food legumes are increasingly being grown to supplement farmers' incomes.The major food legumes grown in developing countries are: dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), faba bean (Vicia faba), dry pea (Pisum sativum), chickpea (Cicer arietinum), lentil (Lens culinaris), mung bean (Vigna radiata), black gram (Vigna mungo) pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and Lathyrns ( Lathyrus sativus). Oil crops such as groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and soybean (Glycine max) are food legumes but are not discussed in this paper.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1999
2 174 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
The coconut palm occupies a significant place in the world economy as an important subsistence crop in all the areas in which it is grown. Relatively few countries are able to export any quantity of coconut products because of increasing home demands coupled with low productivity. Yields are generally well below potential despite recent developments with improved planting stock and agronomic practices. In the last 50 years, both these aspects have received considerable attention, but the focus is shifting to investigate how the use of recently developed biotechnological techniques- can benefit the coconut industry. This volume, the result of the International Symposium on Coconut Biotechnology (held in December 1997 in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico), describes recent research in three important areas. Standard plant breeding techniques used with coconut have produced improved planting material, but progress is inevitably very slow. Can more rapid genetic improvement be obtained using molecular techniques? The papers presented in this section suggest that such techniques will open up exciting new prospects, but only after basic information has been gathered on the genetic status of existing coconut stocks. Research using microsatellite techniques seems to provide a useful tool to help to classifying these stocks. However, only a combination of classical breeding methods with modem techniques will lead to the rapid improvement which is required to supply material for urgent replanting programs.
Inbunden, Engelska, 1999
3 258 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
Achievements today in plant biotechnology have already surpassed all previous expectations. Plant biotechnology, integrated with classical breeding, is now on the verge of creating the `evergreen revolution' to solve the world's envisaged tripled demand for food, agricultural commodities and natural products. New biotechnologies are being continuously adapted to agricultural practices, opening new vistas for plant utilization. Plant biotechnology is changing the plant scene in three major areas: (1) growth and development control (vegetative, generative and propagation), (2) protecting plants against the ever-increasing threats of abiotic and biotic stress, (3) expanding the horizons by producing specialty foods, biochemicals and pharmaceuticals. The potential for improving plant and animal productivity and their proper use in agriculture relies largely on newly-developed DNA biotechnology and molecular markers. These techniques enable the selection of successful genotypes, better isolation and cloning of favorable traits, and the creating of transgenic organisms of importance to agriculture. These areas were extensively discussed at the 9th international congress of the International Association of Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, `Plant Biotechnology and In Vitro Biology in the 21st Century', which was held in Jerusalem in June 1998. The present book of proceedings contains the variety of scientific achievements and techniques that were presented: Basic and Applied Aspects of Growth, Development and Differentiation; Genetic Manipulations: Transformation and Gene Expression, Hybridization, Haploidization and Mutagenesis; Genetic Stability and Instability, Selection and Variability; Regulation of Primary and Secondary Metabolism; Model Systems: Cell Cycle, Transport and Signal Transduction; Biotechnology for Plant Protection: Abiotic and Biotic Stress; Biotechnology for Crop Improvement: Yield, Quality and Production of Valuable Substances; Novel Micropropagation Methods; New Markets and Commercial Applications; Intellectual Property Rights.
Inbunden, Engelska, 2000
2 174 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
This book critically examines the idea that the sustainability of agriculture could be improved by mimicking the structure and processes occurring in natural ecosystems. Researchers from around the world present comparative studies of multi-species farming systems, natural ecosystems and conventional agriculture. Case studies from Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North and South America examine the implications of increasing the complexity of farming systems on water and nutrient cycling, productivity and resilience. Theoretical issues discussed include the role of biodiversity in agriculture, the trade-off between perenniality and productivity, the choice to integrate or segregate production and conservation in an agricultural landscape, and the social and economic challenges to adopting complex farming systems. One section is devoted to the application of this concept in southern Australia, where 15 million hectares of land are expected to be affected by salinity by the middle of the next century unless there is a significant change in agricultural practice.
Inbunden, Engelska, 2000
3 258 kr
Skickas inom 10-15 vardagar
The 12th International Congress on Nitrogen Fixation was held in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná State, Brazil, from the 12th to 17th of September, 1999. This volume constitutes the proceedings of this Congress and represents a compilation of the presentations by scientists from 38 countries who came to discuss the progress made, to exchange views and to collaborate. Since the first meeting in Pullman, Washington, USA, in 1974, this series of Congresses has been held three times in the United States, four times in Western Europe, in Australia, Mexico and Russia, and now for the first time in South America. Brazil was a most appropriate choice because Brazilian agriculture is especially dependent on biological nitrogenfixation. An important example is the soybean crop. The 30 million metric tons of grain produced each year relies solely on symbiotic nitrogen fixation. N-fertilizers are expensive in Brazil and, in the absence of the biological process, this crop would require 4-5 M tonnes of N at an annual cost of almost 1 billion dollars. Crop rotation, soil reclamation, forestry, forage mixed cropping, intercropping with grasses and legumes, associative nitrogen fixation with non-legume crops, such as sugarcane, and other agricultural practices in Brazil are also dependent on biological nitrogen fixation. The Brazilian experience with biological nitrogen fixation is a paradigm to be followed by all countries where nitrogen fertiliser is expensive or where present day environmental concerns demand a feasible, efficient and inexpensive alternative to chemical N-fertilizers.