Agricultural productivity may be raised in a sustainable way by many different technologies such as biological fertilizers, soil and water conservation, biodiversity conservation, improved pest control, and changes in...Agricultural productivity may be raised in a sustainable way by many different technologies such as biological fertilizers, soil and water conservation, biodiversity conservation, improved pest control, and changes in land ownership and distribution. Of these measures, biotechnology applications probably hold the most promise in augmenting conventional agricultural productivity, because biotechnology applications give not only the need to increase production, but also protect the environment and conserving natural resources for future generations. Biotechnology applications will have the possibilities to increase productivity and food availability through better agronomic performance of new varieties, including resistance to pests; rapid multiplication of disease-free plants; ability to obtain natural plant products using tissue culture; diagnosis of diseases of plants and livestock; manipulation of reproduction methods increasing the efficiency of breeding; and the provision of incentives for greater participation by the private sector through investments. Insect resistance through the transfer of a gene for resistance fromBacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is one of the most advanced biotechnology applications already being commercialized in many parts of the world. This paper reviews the development and the status ofBt technology and application ofBt transgenic plants in current agriculture, and discusses specific issues related to the transfer of the technology to the future of genetic engineered trees with emphasis on conifers. Key words Agricultural productivity - Bacillus thuringiensis - Genetic engineering - Insect resistance - Trees CLC number Q812 - S763.306 Document code A Biography: Tang Wei (1964-), male, Ph. Doctor, Research associate, Department of Biology, Howell Science Complex, East Carelina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA.Responsible editor: Chal Ruihai展开更多
文摘Agricultural productivity may be raised in a sustainable way by many different technologies such as biological fertilizers, soil and water conservation, biodiversity conservation, improved pest control, and changes in land ownership and distribution. Of these measures, biotechnology applications probably hold the most promise in augmenting conventional agricultural productivity, because biotechnology applications give not only the need to increase production, but also protect the environment and conserving natural resources for future generations. Biotechnology applications will have the possibilities to increase productivity and food availability through better agronomic performance of new varieties, including resistance to pests; rapid multiplication of disease-free plants; ability to obtain natural plant products using tissue culture; diagnosis of diseases of plants and livestock; manipulation of reproduction methods increasing the efficiency of breeding; and the provision of incentives for greater participation by the private sector through investments. Insect resistance through the transfer of a gene for resistance fromBacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is one of the most advanced biotechnology applications already being commercialized in many parts of the world. This paper reviews the development and the status ofBt technology and application ofBt transgenic plants in current agriculture, and discusses specific issues related to the transfer of the technology to the future of genetic engineered trees with emphasis on conifers. Key words Agricultural productivity - Bacillus thuringiensis - Genetic engineering - Insect resistance - Trees CLC number Q812 - S763.306 Document code A Biography: Tang Wei (1964-), male, Ph. Doctor, Research associate, Department of Biology, Howell Science Complex, East Carelina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA.Responsible editor: Chal Ruihai
