Review Integration of Biotechnology with Conventional Crop Improvement

Abstract

The typical crop improvement rotation takes 10-15 years to complete and , involve germplasm manipulations, genotype stabilization and selection , variety testing, variety increase, proprietary protection and crop production stages. Genetic engineering and plant tissue culture approach that form the basis of plant biotechnology can promote to most of these crop improvement stages. Recombinant DNA technology has notably augmented the conventional crop improvement, and has a great assurance to assist plant breeders to assemble the increased food demand estimate for the 21st century. Considerable progress has been made over the past two decades in controlling genes from multiple and exotic sources, and inserting them into crop plants and microorganism to converse resistance to diseases and insect pests, tolerance to herbicides, soil salinity, drought and aluminum toxicity; improved post-harvest quality; increased nutrient uptake and nutritional quality; enhanced photosynthetic rate, sugar, and starch production; inflate effectiveness of biocontrol agents; improved metabolic pathways and understanding of gene action; and production of vaccines and drugs in crop plants. Despite the various and widespread beneficial applications of biotechnology products, there always a critical need to give these benefits to the general public in a actual and understandable way that excite an responsible and impartial public debate. The growth, testing and release of agricultural products produced through biotechnology-based processes should be continuously increased based on the current experiences. This will require an active and efficient regulatory structure, clearly supportive of the advantage of biotechnology, but really sensitive to the well being of environment and humans.