Transgenic Development for Biotic and Abiotic Stress Management in Horticultural Crops

Genetic engineering offers one of the most potential techniques for modification of many horticulturally important traits, which have been found impossible so far to incorporate in elite backgrounds via conventional breeding methods without affecting their phenotypic traits. Thus this technique assists in circumventing the problems of a long generation period, which hampers the scope of genetic improvement particularly in perennial horticultural tree species. Advancements in molecular biology and genetic transformation have made it possible to identify, isolate, and transfer desirable genes from any plants or microbes. The introduction or enhancement of desirable traits is traditionally done by breeding. This is time consuming and also not very precise. On the other hand, genetic engineering creates plants with specific changes in the background of a proven cultivar without disturbing their genetic constitution. Expression of undesirable genes can be blocked by the application of antisense gene technology and RNAi technology. Biotechnological interventions that could increase the efficiency of horticultural crop improvement are essential to generate plants with several desirable traits.