Introduces biotechnological techniques which are currently used to conserve horticultural and crop plant germplasm, forest tree genetic resources, endangered plant species, and plant cell culture collections. Covers techniques and applications.

The genesis of the volume, Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Markers, has been the occasion of the retirement of Professor Sant Saran Bhojwani from the Department of Botany, University of Delhi. For Professor Bhojwani, retirement only means relinquishing the chair as being a researcher and a teacher which has always been a way of life to him. Professor Bhojwani has been an ardent practitioner of modern plant biology and areas like Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Breeding have been close to his heart. The book contains original as well as review articles contributed by his admirers and associates who are experts in their area of research. While planning this contributory book our endeavour has been to incorporate articles that cover the entire gamut of Plant Biotechnology, and also applications of Molecular Markers. Besides articles on in vitro fertilization and micropropagation, there are articles on forest tree improvement through genetic engineering. Considering the importance of conservation of our precious natural wealth, one article deals with cryopreservation of plant material. Chapter on molecular marker considers DNA indexing as markers of clonal fidelity of in vitro regenerated plants and prevention against bio-piracy. A couple of write-ups also cover stage-specific gene markers, DNA polymorphism and genetic engineering, including raising of stress tolerant plants to sustain productivity and help in reclamation of degraded land.

For the majority of the world’s population, medicinal and aromatic plants are the most important source of life-saving drugs. Biotechnological tools represent important resources for selecting, multiplying and conserving the critical genotypes of medicinal plants. In this regard, in-vitro regeneration holds tremendous potential for the production of high-quality plant-based medicines, while cryopreservation – a long-term conservation method using liquid nitrogen – provides an opportunity to conserve endangered medicinal and aromatic plants. In-vitro production of secondary metabolites in plant cell suspension cultures has been reported for various medicinal plants, and bioreactors represent a key step toward the commercial production of secondary metabolites by means of plant biotechnology. Addressing these key aspects, the book contains 29 chapters, divided into three sections. Section 1: In-vitro production of secondary metabolites Section 2: In-vitro propagation, genetic transformation and germplasm conservation Section 3: Conventional and molecular approaches

The book includes current and emerging concepts in the areas of environmental biotechnology such as pollution sources, control and measurement, solid waste management, bioremediation, biofuels, biosensors, bioleaching, conservation biotechnology and more. The book also includes recent innovations made in this field and incorporates case studies to help in understanding the concepts. This book applies principles from multidisciplinary sciences of environmental engineering, metabolic engineering, rDNA technology and omics to study the role of microbes and plants in tackling environmental issues. It also includes content related to risk assessment and environmental management systems. Each chapter provides problems and solutions of different topics with diagrammatic illustrations and tables for students, researchers and other professionals in environmental biotechnology. Explores cutting-edge technologies, including nanotechnology-based bioremediation, value-added products from waste and emerging techniques related to environmental risk assessment and monitoring Reviews the current methods being applied in the environment field for pollution control, waste management, biodegradation of organic and inorganic pollutants and so on Provides in-depth knowledge of the latest advancements in the field of environmental biotechnology such as bioleaching, biomining and advances in biotechnology-based conservation of biodiversity Introduces undergraduate and post-graduate students to basic concepts of environmental biotechnology and allied fields Discusses different products such as biofuels, biopolymers and biosensors that are being produced using biotechnological methods, thus contributing towards the goal of sustainable development Dr. Neetu Sharma is Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology, GGDSD College, Chandigarh, India. The main thrust of her research centers on biotechnology, bioremediation and nanotechnology. Abhinashi Singh Sodhi is Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology, GGDSD College, Chandigarh, India. His current research focuses on waste reduction, valorization and bioproduct formation. Dr. Navneet Batra is Associate Professor and Head, Department of Biotechnology, GGDSD College, Chandigarh, India. He has extensive academic and research experience of over 20 years with specialization in biotechnology and biochemical engineering.

For centuries, TK has been used almost exclusively by its creators, that is, indigenous and local communities. Access to, use of and handing down of TK has been regulated by local laws, customs and tmditions. Some TK has been freely accessible by all members of an indigenous or local community and has been freely exchanged with other communities; other TK has only been known to particular individuals within these communities such as shamans, and has been handed down only to particular individuals of thc next generation. Over many generations, indigenous and local communities have accumulated a great deal of TK which has generally been adapted, developed and improved by the generations that followed. For a long time, Western anthropologists and other scientists have generally been able to freely access TK and have documented it in their works. Still, this TK was only seldom used outside the indigenous and local communities that created it. More recently, however, Western scientists have become aware that TK is neither outdated nor valueless knowledge, but, instead, 1 can be useful to solve some of the problems facing today's world. Modem science, for example, has shown an increased interest in some fornls ofTK as knowledge that can be used in 4 research and development (R&D) activities and be integrated in modem innovations. This holds especially true for TK regarding genetic resources, which has been integrated in modem 6 phannaceuticals,s agro-chemicals and seed.

Designed primarily as a text for undergraduate and postgraduate students of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, the book discusses the theoretical aspects and modern applications of plant cell, tissue and organ culture. Written with the aim of providing up-to-date information on the subject, and focused on the concept of commercialization of plant cell culture, the contents have been presented with clarity. The book not only discusses the theoretical aspects of plant tissue culture but also emphasizes the art of its practice. It also provides a systematic explanation of asepsis and methods of sterilization, plant tissue culture techniques, culture of reproductive structures, plant tissue culture in germplasm conservation, its applications in the industry and plant pathology and operation and management of greenhouse hardening unit. In addition, it discusses in vitro propagation of plants (micropropagation) with a series of case studies pertaining to tree species and horticultural crops. Besides students, the book will also prove to be useful for researchers, scholars and teachers.

The book has 2 sections; Section A focuses on Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology and Section B covers Emerging Technologies in Environmental Biotechnology. The book introduces Environmental biotechnology as a tool to progress towards sustainable development goals and covers green technologies such as Bio-plastics, Third generation hybrid technology for algal biomass production, wastewater treatment and greenhouse gas mitigation, Green vaccination, Bio-fuels, Microbial enzymes, Bioelectrical systems, eco-friendly handmade paper production, nature based sanitation solutions, and greener ways to tackle air pollution along with the application of GIS to monitor & manage COVDI19 pandemic. The Section B covers emerging & innovative technologies such as vermifiltration, Small scale PVA gel based innovative solution for wastewater treatment, Cyclic technology based sequencing batch reactors (SBR) and role of Role of Bio-selectors in Performing Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification in SBR’s. It holistically covers essential information on Enzymatic Biotransformation and Biopolymer based nanocomposites for dye waste treatment, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi assisted Bioremediation of heavy metals, Coir Retting and Duckweeds: The Tiny Creatures for Resolving the Major Environmental Issues. It is a promising book for researchers, academicians, teachers, students, industrial enterprises, policy makers, public health officials and general users. The book is closely aligned to curricula of post graduate courses in biotechnology, microbiology, environmental biotechnology and environmental science.

The purpose of this book is to assess the potential effects of biotechnological approaches particularly genetic modification on biodiversity and the environment. All aspects of biodiversity such as ecological diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity are considered. Higher organisms contain a specific set of linear DNA molecules called chromosomes and a complete set of chromosomes in an organism comprises its genome. The collection of traits displayed by any organism (phenotype) depends on the genes present in its genome (genotype). The appearance of any specific trait also will depend on many other factors, including whether the gene(s) responsible for the trait is/are turned on (expressed) or off, the specific cells within which the genes are expressed and how the genes, their expression and the gene products interact with environmental factors. The primary biotechnology which concerns us is that of genetic manipulation, which has a direct impact on biodiversity at the genetic level. By these manipulations, novel genes or gene fragments can be introduced into organisms (creating transgenics) or existing genes within an organism can be altered. Transgenics are a major area of concern, combining genes from different species to effectively create novel organisms. Current rates of disappearance of biological and cultural diversity in the world are unprecedented. Intensive resource exploitation due to social and economic factors has led to the destruction, conversion or degradation of ecosystems. Reversing these trends requires time to time assessment to integrate conservation and development.

With exponentially increasing population across the globe and shrinking resources, the concern of food security is looming large over the world community. To catch up with the fierce pace of growth in all the sectors of development, ensuring uninhibited availability of food resources is a prime agenda. The growing global demand for food, feed, fiber and bio-based renewable materials, such as bio-fuels, is changing the conditions for genetic resources development and bio-resource production worldwide. The crucial role in ensuring food security is played by the agro-based industries and enterprises. Advances in plant genetic resources coupled with traditional knowledge of the local tribes and native practices facilitate achievement of food security.