Molecular Biology in Crop Protection

ISBN-13: 9780412543906 / Angielski / Miękka / 1994 / 283 str.

George Marshall; Dale Walters; G. Marshall

Opis

Few individuals can be unmoved by the impact of molecular biology. Advances in the discipline over four decades have progressed at a rate unrivalled in other scientific areas. In its formative years, molecular biology examined the chemical and physical structures of biological molecules, subsequently elucidated the nature and function of DNA and evolved into molecular genetics. From this exponential growth of scientific knowledge, tremendous opportunities were created for the application of molecular approaches to solve problems in applied biology. This book describes the new productive association between novel state- of-the-art molecular biology and crop protection, a discipline with a sound heritage in traditional applied biology and chemistry. Never before has crop protection faced such diverse challenges. It is charged with improving global food supplies and with the pressure of population increases of one billion in the next decade. But to consider protection of crops simply in terms of weed, pest and disease control would be a gross oversimplification of the mission. Rather, crop protectionists must develop measures which will maintain crop yield and quality without harm to the environment. Chemical, cultural and biological approaches to crop protection must also fulfil evolving legislative demands and address the issues which confer public acceptability.

Spis treści

Introduction. An introduction to molecular technology. Chemical and biological control. Molecular approaches to the design of chemical crop protection agents. Molecular approaches to the design of biotic crop protection agents. Molecular determinants for resistance to crop protection chemicals. Engineering resistance to diseases, herbicides and pests. Molecular biology and genetic engineering to improve plant disease resistance. Molecular mechanisms - herbicides. Genetic manipulation of crops for insect resistance. Assessment and the impact and performance of transgenic plants. Commercial and legislative aspects. A commercial view of biotechnology in crop protection. Environmental and regulatory aspects of using genetically-modified plants in the field. Environmental and regulatory aspects of using genetically-modified microorganisms in the field.