Tree Biology and Biotechnology

This edited book aims to bring out a comprehensive collection of information on tree biology, breeding, improvement, genetics, and biotechnology. The focus of this book is to address the status of tree biology research through biotechnological, physiological, pathological, and entomological aspects.

Trees are dominant and perennial species found in several ecosystems. They are the only piece of infrastructure that gains value over time. Their economic relevance is well known in terms of the production of food, feed, fodder, fuel, timber, and other products. Trees are well-known habitats for different organisms. They also deliver various ecosystem services, including temperature regulation, mitigation of soil erosion, and managing and filtering rainwater. Tree species are versatile and are capable of providing livelihood security to people, besides several other advantages. In the era of high population growth and increasing pressure on agricultural systems, efficient management of tree resources is the need of the time. Therefore, it is essential to understand tree biology, breeding, and improvement. This book comprises information on various aspects of tree breeding, biology, genetics, and research in the improvement of tree species. Applications of tissue culture, biotechnological approaches, tree health management, insect pest management, and nutrient recycling have been covered in the book, along with some chapters on case studies from Rajasthan and Africa.

This book is a useful read for agricultural students, researchers, teachers, and professionals interested in the fields of agroforestry, horticulture, silviculture, and tree improvement.

Dr. Rajwant K. Kalia is Principal Scientist (Agroforestry) at ICAR- Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur, India. She is a graduate of University of Delhi and has obtained Ph.D. from ICFRE-Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. She has more than 20 years of post-doctoral research experience in the field of tree/plant biology and biotechnology including Post-Doctoral Research at ICAR-NIPB, Delhi, University of Delhi and ICAR-NBPGR, Delhi. She has been a recipient of BOYSCAST Fellowship to work at University of California, Riverside and Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA. She has handled more than 15 research projects on several aspects including micropropagation, conservation, cryopreservation, molecular characterization and improvement of important tree and crop species. She has also supervised Ph.D. students on these research aspects. Dr. Kalia has published more than 70 research papers and book chapters and is serving as peer reviewer of high-impact national and international research journals.

Dr. Rakesh Pathak obtained Ph.D. from the Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur. He is Assistant Chief Technical Officer in the ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan and is a Fellow of Institution of Chemists (India). Dr. Pathak has published more than 100 research papers and book chapters on molecular characterization and genetic diversity studies of several crops and trees in journals and books of national and international repute. He has molecularly characterized and submitted more than 300 novel gene sequences belonging to plant varieties/germplasm, macro-fungi, fungal pathogens and PGPRs with NCBI, USA, to address Indian biodiversity. Dr. Pathak has delivered several oral and poster presentation in national and international conferences. He has been regularly reviewing manuscripts as a referee for high-impact journals.