Agricultural Biotechnology/S.S. Purohit. Second Enlarged Edition. Jodhpur, Agrobios, 2003, xxx, 938 p., figs., tables, $83. ISBN 81-7754-156-0.

Contents: 1. Agriculture and agricultural biotechnology. 2. Biotechnology research promotion and priorities in India. 3. Applications of genetic engineering in agriculture. 4. Enzymes in genetic engineering (nucleic acid enzymology). 5. Gene cloning vectors. 6. Techniques for genetic engineering. 7. Genetic engineering techniques of producing transgenic crop varieties. 8. Expression of induced genes. 9. Gene silencing and antisense technology. 10. Scopes and achievements of genetically modified crops. 11. Eco-social impact of genetically modified crops. 12. Plant tissue culture: principles and methodology. 13. Histological and photographic techniques for plant tissue culture. 14. Protoplast technology. 15. Micropropagation in plants. 16. Somatic embryogenesis. 17. Somaclonal and gametoclonal variant selection. 18. Gynogenesis and crop improvement. 19. Synseeds or synthetic seeds. 20. Plant tissue culture some related aspects. 21. Fruit and plantation crops improvement through biotechnology. 22. Vegetable crops improvement through biotechnology. 23. Spices and condiments improvement through biotechnology. 24. Improvement of flower crops through biotechnology. 25. Animal cell and tissue culture. 26. Immunology and serology. 27. Animal health biotechnology. 28. Biotechnology and antimicrobial drugs. 29. Animal biotechnology. 30. Transgenic animal technology. 31. Biotechnology in fisheries. 32. Biotechnology and forestry. 33. Biotechnology of biofertilizers. 34. Enzyme based agro-industrial biotechnology. 35. Biotechnology production of secondary plant metabolites. 36. Biotechnology biomass energy. 37. Glossary. 38. Appendix. 39. Some interesting world wide web sites. 40. Selected bibliography. 41. Subject index.

From the preface: " Biotechnology is the new wave of biological sciences and it is the most powerful tool for further advancement in the various fields of agriculture. While established agricultural techniques, such as breeding and growth control have resulted in remarkable achievements since the dawn of plant and animal domestication, new methodologies are clearly needed. Emerging biotechnologies have seen dramatic developments during the last decade and should be able to overcome and complement the limits of former standard procedures. However, it can work practically only if it can be combined with established breeding strategies and with common agricultural practices. In fact, all agricultural biotechnologies should be looked upon as an extension and integral part of traditional breeding and agriculture, contributing successfully to shortening the breeding cycle, and to production of quality agricultural commodities."

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