Abstract:
Foreword
The applications of biotechnology to the improvement of horticultural crops have been considerable.
In vitro propagation technologies, commonly referred to as micropropagation, are the methods of choice for propagating a wide range of horticultural crops.
Of great importance has been the link between micropropagation and pathogen elimination protocols which has led to pathogen-indexed plants for worldwide distribution.
The application of biochemical and molecular markers to horticultural crops has also developed rapidly, with advances in technology from isozymes to RFLPs, to RAPDs, AFLPs and SSRs.
Genetic markers are now routinely used for classifying and identifying germplasm, analysis of genetic relationships among breeding materials, constructing genetic linkage maps, and selective breeding.
Novelty horticultural crops have been developed through various tissue culture techniques including wide hybridization and embryo rescue, induced mutagenesis, somaclonal variation, somatic hybridization, and organelle transplantation.
Closely aligned with tissue culture technology has been genetic engineering of plants.
Numerous horticultural crops have been improved by selective insertion of specific genes for increased shelf life, disease resistance, novel morphological and floral attributes, and enhanced nutritional composition.
This volume of Acta Horticulturae is the Proceedings of the 2002 International Society for Horticultural Science Congress Symposium on ‘Biotechnology of Horticultural Crop Improvement: Achievements, Opportunities and Limitations’. The objective of this symposium was to provide an update and specific examples of the impact of biotechnology on horticultural crop improvement, some of the limitations, and including a very recent survey of the public’s perception of genetic modification in the US. Another very important objective was to provide an opportunity for researchers from around the world to exchange information regarding these state of the art methodologies.
One hundred and thirty-eight participants from 24 countries presented four keynote addresses, eight invited papers, 20 contributed oral papers and 106 posters.
The various contributions in this book are organized, like sessions in the symposium, with four major themes: I- Progress in Using Molecular Markers for the Improvement and Identification of Horticultural Crops; II B Innovations in Micropropagation of Horticultural Crops; III B Genetic Engineering/Tissue Culture B Enhancing the Quality and Productivity of Horticultural Crops; and IV B Genetic Engineering - Impact of the Environment on Human Health and Public Acceptance.
The Symposium organizers gratefully acknowledge the financial and other support from the following organizations:
ASHS Plant Biotechnology Working Group
Harsters Greenhouse Inc., Ontario
ISHS Commission Biotechnology
ISHS Commission Plant Genetic Resources
ISHS Section Fruit; ISHS Section Ornamentals
US Chapter International Association for Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology
USDA-ARS, Beltsville Area
We would also like to thank the members of the Editorial Board, the Keynote Speakers and all the other colleagues who aided in the editorial process. Finally, special thanks to Drs.
Murch and Zobayed for help with manuscript organization and editing, and to Ms.
Kendra Jenkins and Ms.
Ronetta Pulley for assistance in preparing the Proceedings.
Co-conveners: Freddi Hammerschlag and Praveen Saxena
PREFACE
The papers contained in this volume of Acta Horticulturae report the proceedings of a symposium on ‘Biotechnology in Horticultural Crop Improvement: Achievements, Opportunities and Limitations’. Keynote speakers and authors of selected contributed oral and poster presentations were given the opportunity to submit a manuscript for publication.
These manuscripts were reviewed by the symposium editors and other referees.
Only those papers judged suitable for publication following the authors consideration of reviewer suggestions appear in this volume of Acta Horticulturae.
The ISHS acknowledges and appreciates the contribution of all editors and reviewers.
They have made a significant contribution to assuring the quality of this publication.
The ISHS Board of Directors
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