About Book

The potential for plant disease control has been greatly expanded by advances in biotechnology relating to plant cell and tissue culture, production of monoclonal antibodies, and the manipulation of nucleic acids and genetic engineering. These biotechnologies have permitted new possibilities for production of pathogen-free plants, development of disease resistant plants, manufacture of microorganisms with specific uses such as biological control agents and pesticides degraded agents, production of serological products for identification and diagnosis of disease, and exploring the knowledge of host parasite interactions. Plant biotechnology ushers in a new era for plant scientists working to maintain healthy plants, optimize crop yields, and minimize pesticide usage. This book focuses on current trends in biotechnology and plant pathology. It deals with control of insects, biotechnological applications, metabolites, nonconventional yeasts and bryophyte biotechnology. It strives to provide a fair idea about this discipline and to help develop a better understanding of the latest advances within this field. This book elucidates new techniques and their applications in a multidisciplinary approach. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. It is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area as well as for experts.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Introductory Chapter: Introduction to Biotechnological Approaches for Maize Improvement............................................................................1

1. Introduction ..........................................................................................1

2. Technologies developed to enhance maize productivity .............2

Chapter 2 Biotechnological Applications of Nonconventional Yeasts..............5

Abstract...................................................................................................5

1. Introduction............................................................................................5

2. Some applications of nonconventional yeasts ...............................7

Conflict of interest .............................................................................23

Chapter 3 Production of Plant Secondary Metabolites by Using Biotechnological Tools.............................................................................40

Abstract ................................................................................................40

1. Introduction ........................................................................................41

2. Advantages of plant tissue culture techniques for the production

of secondary metabolites ..................................................................42

3. Culture systems .................................................................................43

4. Strategies to improve the production of secondary

metabolites ..........................................................................................44

5. Scale-up production ..........................................................................47

6. Selected examples ..............................................................................48

7. Conclusions and prospects ..............................................................52

Acknowledgements ...........................................................................53

Chapter 4 Recent Biotechnological Advances in the Improvement of

Cassava........................................................................................................63

Abstract.................................................................................................63

1. Introduction..........................................................................................64

2. Important characteristics of cassava requiring improvement....67

3. RNA-based functional genomics technologies in cassava

improvement........................................................................................71

4. Role of reverse genetics and gene editing techniques in cassava

improvement........................................................................................74

5. Natural host resistance to pathogen in cassava...........................76

6. Conclusion............................................................................................78

Acknowledgements.............................................................................79

Chapter 5 Yeast Ecology of Fermented Table Olives: A Tool for Biotechnological

Applications...............................................................................................91

Abstract.................................................................................................91

1. Introduction..........................................................................................91

2. Biology and physiology of yeasts from fermented table

olives......................................................................................................92

3. Yeast ecology of table olives.............................................................97

4. Biotechnological applications of table olives yeast strains.......101

5. Future perspectives...........................................................................103

Chapter 6 Grape and Wine Metabolites: Biotechnological Approaches to

Improve Wine Quality...........................................................................113

Abstract...............................................................................................113

1. Introduction........................................................................................114

2. Grape berry physiology and metabolome...................................114

3. Biotechnological approaches for wine quality............................128

4. Composition of grapes and wines: new analytical

techniques...........................................................................................134

5. Final remarks.....................................................................................136

Chapter 7 Use of Biotechnology in the Control of Insects-Prague...............155

1. Introduction........................................................................................155

2. Importance of biotechnology in the control of

insects-prague....................................................................................157

3. The Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)..........................................................158

4. Biotechnology vs insecticide...........................................................159

5. Mode of action of protein Cry.......................................................161

6. The safety of the use of Btplants...................................................162

7. Future trends for the Bt technology..............................................165

8. Perspectives and final considerations...........................................168

Chapter 8 Developments and Perspectives in Bryophyte Biotechnology in

Sub-Saharan Africa.................................................................................174

Abstract...............................................................................................174

1. Introduction........................................................................................175

2. Dermatophilosis in animals............................................................176

3. Plant pathogenic fungal contamination of food and crops in

Africa...................................................................................................177

4. Methodology......................................................................................177

5. Survey and extraction of bryophytes............................................178

6. The findings, discussion on the economic and environmental

benefits of this study........................................................................183

7. Recommendations.............................................................................185

Citation......................................................................................................189

Index...........................................................................................................191

About Author

Cecil Shields received her Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Pathology from Science Research University, Montana. She is an Assistant Professor at Institute of Technology, Chihuahua. She has written numerous articles and research papers on biotechnology and biological engineering. Shields is an experienced researcher in the varied fields of biotechnology and is currently working on the modelling of biological systems.Shields holds prominent memberships of renowned agricultural associations and has been an active participant at international conferences and forums.