Plant Biotechnology and Crop Improvement

Abstract The impact on plant biotechnology is multifarious and distributed in different frontiers. It is, therefore, difficult to have a comprehensive estimate of the contribution of various biotechnological tools on crop improvement. Nevertheless, several glorious examples exist to support that biotechnology is indispensable for genetic improvement of crop species, understand basic scientific principles related to crop biology and physiology, and to utilize plants as industrial factories. Past commercial successes and recent scientific developments in this field should, therefore, be integrated in the strategic planning for achieving the millennium and sustainable development goals. Here, we have discussed some of the well-established successes in the area of transgenic crop development, DNA marker and genomics-assisted molecular breeding, nutritional improvement and industrial production of metabolites in plants, and new research and developments having potential for large-scale application in crop improvement in near future.