Plant genomics and biotechnology have recently made enormous strides and hold the potential to
benefit agriculture the environment and various other dimensions of the human endeavor. It is
no exaggeration to claim that the twenty-first century belongs to biotechnology. Knowledge
generation in this field is growing at a frenetic pace and keeping abreast of the latest
advances and calls on us to double our efforts. Volume II of this two-part series addresses
cutting-edge aspects of plant genomics and biotechnology. It includes 37 chapters contributed
by over 70 researchers each of which is an expert in his her own field of
research.Biotechnology has helped to solve many conundrums of plant life that had long remained
a mystery to mankind. This volume opens with an exhaustive chapter on the role played by thale
cress Arabidopsis thaliana which is believed to be the Drosophila of the plant kingdom and an
invaluable model plant for understanding basic concepts in plant biology. This is followed by
chapters on bioremediation biofuels and biofertilizers through microalgal manipulation making
it a commercializable prospect discerning finer details of biotic stress with plant-fungal
interactions and the dynamics of abiotic and biotic stresses which also figure elsewhere in
the book.Breeding crop plants for desirable traits has long been an endeavor of
biotechnologists. The significance of molecular markers marker assisted selection and
techniques are covered in a dedicated chapter as are comprehensive reviews on plant molecular
biology DNA fingerprinting techniques genomic structure and functional genomics. A chapter
dedicated to organellar genomes provides extensive information on this important aspect.
Elsewhere in the book the newly emerging area of epigenetics is presented as seen through the
lens of biotechnology showcasing the pivotal role of DNA methylation in effecting permanent
and transient changes to the genome. Exclusive chapters deal with bioinformatics and systems
biology. Handy tools for practical applications such as somatic embryogenesis and
micropropagation are included to provide frontline information to entrepreneurs as is a
chapter on somaclonal variation.Overcoming barriers to sexual incompatibility has also long
been a focus of biotechnology and is addressed in chapters on wide hybridization and hybrid
embryo rescue. Another area of accomplishing triploids through endosperm culture is included as
a non-conventional breeding strategy. Secondary metabolite production through tissue cultures
which is of importance to industrial scientists is also covered.Worldwide exchange of plant
genetic material is currently an essential topic as is conserving natural resources in situ.
Chapters on in vitro conservation of extant threatened and other valuable germplasms gene
banking and related issues are included along with an extensive account of the biotechnologyof
spices - the low-volume high-value crops.Metabolic engineering is another emerging field that
provides commercial opportunities. As is well known there is widespread concern over
genetically modified crops among the public. GM crops are covered as are genetic engineering
strategies for combating biotic and abiotic stresses where no other solutions are in sight.
RNAi- and micro RNA- based strategies for crop improvement have proved to offer novel
alternatives to the existing non-conventional techniques and detailed information on these
aspects is also included. The book's last five chapters are devoted to presenting the various
aspects of environmental marine desert and rural biotechnology.The state-of-the-art coverage
on a wide range of plant genomics and biotechnology topics will be of great interest to
post-graduate students and researchers including the employees of seed and biotechnology
companies and to instructors in the fields of plant genetics br
