The “Compendium of Crop Improvement Volume 4: Plant Biotechnology” offers a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements and applications in the field of plant biotechnology, highlighting its transformative potential in modern agriculture. This volume is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of various biotechnological innovations, from genome editing techniques to bioinformatics and synthetic biology. With a focus on practical applications, the book explores how cutting-edge technologies like CRISPR/ Cas9, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing crop improvement and agricultural sustainability. The volume also delves into the critical role of biotechnology in addressing pressing agricultural challenges, including enhancing crop resilience to climate change, improving plant health through microbial biotechnology, and developing biofortified crops to combat malnutrition. The integration of omics approaches, precision agriculture, and plant-microbe interactions showcases the multidisciplinary nature of modern plant biotechnology and its impact on the future of food security and environmental sustainability. The book serves as a valuable resource for students, researchers, and professionals in the field of plant sciences, offering insights into both the theoretical and practical aspects of plant biotechnology. By covering emerging trends, such as biopharming, metabolic engineering, and disease management, this volume provides readers with a forward-looking perspective on how biotechnology can shape the future of agriculture and contribute to global sustainability efforts.
Dr. Dhanalakshmi T. N. is an academician serving as an Assistant Professor in Genetics and Plant Breeding at the College of Horticulture, Hiriyur, affiliated to Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (KSNUAHS), Shivamogga, Karnataka. She has been awarded Master’s degree in 2009 and has received the University gold medal for securing the highest OGPA for her B.Sc. (Agriculture) from the University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore. She has served as a Junior Breeder in AICRP on Castor from 2012 to 2018 and was involved in developing and releasing the Castor hybrid HCH-6 for the Karnataka state farming community. She has published many research papers in various scientific journals and abstracts in different national and international conferences and seminars. She has published books in the regional language Kannada for the benefit of the farming community and extension workers on different platforms. She has also published several book chapters for the benefit of students for their academic purposes and various competitive exams. Moreover, she serves as an editor and reviewer for a few national and international peer-reviewed journals. She is a lifetime member of several esteemed societies and recipient of several awards from recognized bodies. She has participated in many international and national seminars, conferences, faculty/ capacity development programs, and other training programs.
Dr. N. Shashidhara is working as an Assistant Professor (GPB) and Assistant Seed Production Officer (ASPO) at AICRP on SEED (Crops), Seed Unit, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. He obtained his M.Sc. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from the same institution in 2003 and later earned his Ph.D. from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru in 2010. Following his doctoral studies, he pursued post-doctoral research at the Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. From 2012 to 2017, he served as an Assistant Professor (PG&B) at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute, Karaikal, Puducherry. With over 13 years of post-Ph.D. experience, Dr. Shashidhara has made significant contributions to teaching, research, and extension in agriculture. His prolific research output includes numerous papers in renowned national and international peer-reviewed journals, along with published books for under and post-graduate students, book chapters and popular articles. He also serves as an editor and reviewer for several respected journals and is a lifetime member of multiple prestigious societies. He has received over ten awards from notable national and international organizations/ societies. His dedication extends beyond academia, contributing to the development of high-protein rice and maize varieties to the farming community. Dr. Shashidhara’s career is marked by his unwavering commitment to advancing agricultural sciences, fostering innovation through research, and inspiring future generations in the field of Genetics and Plant Breeding.
Dr. Lokesh, G.Y., is working as an Associate Professor (GPB), University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur. He has been awarded M.Sc. degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding from University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad in 2004 and Ph.D. degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding from University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru in 2016. He has 14 years of post-Ph.D. experience in teaching, research and extension in the field of Agriculture. Out of which, he served as a Junior Breeder from 2010 to 2020 at Seed Unit, UAS, Raichur and now working in Collage of Agriculture, Raichur, engaged in Teaching to Under-Graduate, Post-Graduate and Ph.D students. He has been associated in release of several varieties and several technologies in the University. He has guided several M.Sc. students in the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding. His work reflects a dedication to advancing agricultural sciences through research, teaching, and community engagement.
Dr. Boranayaka M. B. is a distinguished academician and researcher currently serving as a Technical Officer (Plant Breeding) at AICRP on Wheat & Barley, UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka. He earned his B.Sc. (Agri.) from UAS, Bangalore, and M.Sc. (Agri.) in Plant Breeding & Genetics from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,Coimbatore, where he was awarded the Sivasailam Gold Medal at AC & RI, Madurai. Dr. Boranayaka pursued Ph.D. at UAS, Raichur, under the RGNF fellowship from the Department of Science & Technology, UGC, New Delhi. With 15 years of experience in research, teaching, and extension activities at various State Agricultural Universities, he has served as a Research Associate at AICRP on (Small Millets), SRF in Rice DUS Centre at UAS, Bangalore, and Technical Officer (Plant Breeding) at AICRP on Sorghum and Technical Officer, Farm Management-KVK at UAS, Dharwad. His expertise includes conventional plant breeding, mutation breeding, marker-assisted breeding, and crop varietal seed production and maintenance. Notably, his work on developing a partial sterile mutant in finger millet and collaborating on the development and registration of plant germplasm in rabi sorghum and wheat is well-recognized. Dr. Boranayaka has published numerous research and review papers in esteemed national and international journals and has participated in many seminars, conferences, and workshops.
1 Introduction to Plant Biotechnology .................................................1
2 Genome Editing Techniques in Plant Biotechnology ...................27
3 Applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in Crop Improvement..................47
4 Advances in Plant Metabolic Engineering .....................................63
5 Nanotechnology in Plant Biotechnology ........................................81
6 Bioinformatics Tools for Plant Genomics .......................................99
7 Omics Approaches in Plant Biotechnology..................................119
8 Plant Synthetic Biology: Engineering New Pathways ................139
9 Microbial Biotechnology for Plant Health....................................155
10 Plant-Microbe Interactions in Agricultural Systems...................171
11 Biofortification and Functional Foods...........................................185
12 Plant Biotechnology for Climate Resilience .................................199
13 Biopharming: Pharmaceutical Production in Plants...................217
14 Emerging Trends in Plant Disease Management ........................233
15 Precision Agriculture Techniques in Plant Biotechnology.........251
16 Application of Artificial Intelligence in Plant Biotechnology....267
