Genetic Transformation in Plants: Methods and Applications

Plant genetic transformation is a technique that involves genome tailoring by adding or deleting a DNA segment. Alteration of a plant’s genetic background by adopting non-conventional strategies is done for quantitative and qualitative trait improvement. This approach introduces transgenes (genes from different sources) into the plant’s genome for nutritional improvement and makes them resilient against biotic and abiotic stresses. It has also broken species-, genera-, and even kingdom barriers by delivering genes into a plant from an unrelated source. Transgenic technology has expanded the possibilities available to plant breeders for improving breeding efficiency and plant protection. This chapter aims to provide unequivocal and comprehensive knowledge of the philosophy of genetic transformation in plants, the methods involved, and its applications.