Biotechnology in

crop Improvement
Biotechnology:
• “Product of interaction between science of
biology and technology”.

• “It is technological exploitation and control of

biological system”.

• “The control use of biological agents such as

microorganisms or cellular components for
beneficial use”.
• Any technique that uses living organisms or
substances for those organisms to make or
modify product to improve plants or animals or
to develop microorganisms for specific uses.
• In its purest form, the term "biotechnology" refers
to the use of living organisms or their products to
modify human health and the human environment.

→ Prehistoric Biotechnology:
→ Use of yeast cells to raise bread dough.
→ Fermentation of alcoholic beverages.
→ Use of bacterial cells to make cheeses and
yogurts.
→ To breed strong and productive animals to
make even stronger and more productive animals
and plants.
 Biotechnological approaches for
crop improvement

• 1. Transgenesis

• 2. Molecular marker assisted selection

Transgenesis:
• Involves introduction of an isolated gene into
plant cells in such a manner that it is stably
inherited through subsequent generations.

• This method is used when the trait of interest

is not present within the gene pool of the crop
of interest.
• Very precise technology; any gene from any
organism.

• Issues of Biosafety; Many of the enabling

technologies are covered by patents.
Molecular Marker Assisted Selection:
• This is a variation of traditional plant breeding
wherein DNA sequence differences are used to
identify plant varieties that carry the desired
traits.

• This method is used when the trait of interest

is present within the gene pool of the crop of
interest.
• Biosafety and Intellectual Property Rights are
not major issues.

• The products can be taken to market without

long delays caused by regulatory
requirements.

• Source of gene is restricted to the gene pool of

the species.
Benefits to Crop Improvement:

1. Reduction in the duration of breeding

programs.

2. Application of new methodologies to create

genetic variability (use of tissue culture).

3. Use of recombinant DNA techniques.