STATUS OF RESEARCH AND APPLICATION OF CROP BIOTECHNOLOGIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Preliminary assessment

Z. Dhlamini Associate Professional Officer (Biotechnology) FAO Research and Technology Development Service C. Spillane FAO Consultant Science Foundation Ireland Investigator Department of Biochemistry, University College Cork, Ireland J.P. Moss FAO Consultant Former Director of the Cellular and Molecular Biology Division International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad, India J. Ruane Agricultural Officer (Biotechnology) FAO Working Group on Biotechnology N. Urquia Seed and Plant Genetic Resources Officer FAO Seed and Plant Genetic Resources Service A. Sonnino Senior Agricultural Research Officer FAO Research and Technology Development Service Table of Contents FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 2005

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ISBN 92-5-105290-5

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CONTENTS

Abbreviations

Executive summary

1. Introduction

2. Scope and methodology of the FAO-BioDeC

3. Analysis of the FAO-BioDeC data on non-GM biotechnologies

3.1 Microbial products for agriculture

3.1.1 Microbial agents for the biocontrol of pests

3.1.2 Biofertilizers

3.1.3 Fermentation technology and food processing

3.1.4 Environmental biotechnology

3.2 Applied plant cell biology techniques

3.2.1 Micropropagation

3.2.2 Anther and pollen culture

3.2.3 Embryo rescue

3.2.4 In vitro regeneration and somaclonal variation

3.2.5 In vitro germplasm conservation and cryopreservation

3.3 Molecular marker techniques  

3.4 DNA and immuno-diagnostic techniques 

4. Analysis of the FAO-BioDeC data on genetically modified (GM)crop varieties

4.1 Transgenic crop varieties resistant to pathogens

4.1.1 Development of transgenic crop varieties resistant to viral diseases

4.1.2 Development of transgenic crop varieties resistant to bacterial diseases 

4.1.3 Development of transgenic crop varieties resistant to fungal diseases

4.2 Development of transgenic crop varieties with enhanced resistance to pests and herbicides 

4.2.1 Resistance to insect pests 

4.2.2 Development of transgenic crop varieties resistant to nematode pests

4.2.3 Development of transgenic crop varieties resistant to herbicides for weed control 

4.3 Transgenic varieties resistant or tolerant to abiotic stresses 

4.4 Transgenic varieties with modified quality traits 

4.4.1 Protein content and amino-acid profiles

4.4.2 Vitamin profiles

4.4.3 Mineral profiles

4.4.4 Oil composition

4.4.5 Plant growth traits

4.5 `Stacking' transgenes – generating crop varieties with multiple transgenic traits 

5. Conclusions

5.1 Challenges for biotechnology application in developing countries 

References

Appendix 1 – List of countries by region covered by FAO-BioDeC

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