The world food supply depends on few crops species, termed as ‘major crops’. Almost 95% of the world food requirement is met by 30 plant species. There is a great need to broaden the exploitation of the plant genetic diversity in order to avoid dependence on few food crops. The neglected crops categorised as ‘minor crops’ have lesser importance globally in terms of production and market value. They could become an excellent source for useful gene source. Several factors such as physical appearance, taste, nutritional properties, cultivation methods, processing qualities, economic gains, etc. are responsible for the promotion and acceptance of ‘major crops’ worldwide. However, some crop species may be distributed worldwide but tend to have preference in the local ecology and local production and consumption system. They are traditionally grown in their centres of origin or in local farmers’ fields, important for the subsistence of local communities and constitutes an important part of the local diet nutrition. The lack of their genetic improvement is often hampered due to narrow genetic diversity.
This is the first comprehensive resource worldwide that reflects research achievements in neglected and underutilized crop biotechnology, documenting research events during the last three decades, current status, and future outlook. The book has 16 chapters, divided into 4 sections and provides information on Chenopodium as a potential food source, thin cell layer technology in micropropagation of Jatropha, and Panax vietnamensis; molecular biology and physiology of Haberlea rhodopensis, cell trait prediction in vitro and in vivo of legumes, and application of TILLING in orphan crops; biotechnology of neglected oil crops, Quinoa, Erucia sativa, Stylosanthes, and Miscanthus; genetic transformation of Safflower, Jatropha, Bael, Taro and genetic engineering of Mangroves. This book is useful for researchers, students, policy makers, and people with commercial interests.
Preface
Section I
1. The Genus Chenopodium - A Potential Food Source; E. de la Cruz Torres et al
2. Thin Cell Layer Technology in Micropropagation of Jatropha curcas L.; D. Tan Nhut et al
3. New Achievements in Panax vietnamensis Research; D. Tan Nhut et al
Section II
4. Molecular Biology and Physiology of the Resurrection Glacial Relic Haberlea rhodopensis; M. Benina et al
5. Cell Morphometry as Predictor of Protein Legume In Vitro Growth; S.J. Ochatt
6. Application of TILLING for Orphan Crop Improvement; K. Esfeld et al
Section III
7. Neglected Oil Crop Biotechnology; S. Tiwari, S. Kumar
8. Prospects for Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Improvement through Biotechnology; E.N. Jellen et al
9. Biotechnology of Eruca sativa Mill.; S.M.H. Slater
10. Biotechnology of Stylosanthes; A. Chandra
11. Biotechnology of Miscanthus; S.J. Dalton
Section IV
12. Tissue Culture and Genetic Transformation of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.); M. Sujatha, S.D. Gupta
13. Plant Regeneration and Genetic Transformation in Jatropha; M. Sujatha et al
14. Genetic Transformation of Bael (Aegle marmelos Corr.); R. Pati, M. Muthukumar
15. Genetic Transformation of Taro; X. He et al
16. Bioprospecting and Genetic Engineering of Mangrove Genes to Enhance Salinity Tolerance in Crop Plants; A.B. Das.
Index