Genetically Engineered Plants in Insect Pest Control: Mechanisms, Applications and Biosafety

Edited by
Santhosh Doddarampura Basavaraju
Tumkur University, Karnataka, India.

ISBN 978-81-69986-21-2 (Print)
ISBN 978-81-69986-20-5 (eBook)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-69986-21-2

Dr. Santhosh D. B., the main author of the book on Genetically Engineered (GE) Plants in Insect Pest Control, expresses gratitude to readers for their interest in the book. The compilation is a result of collaborative efforts with co-authors and aims to present diverse aspects of the biology relating to GE-Plants in pest management. The content reflects ongoing updates and developments in the field, derived from thorough reviews of research papers, discussions (both formal and informal), and the formation of initial drafts, which took approximately two to three months to finalize. Starting from my initial tryst with “Genetic Engineering” to analyse genomes of domesticated and wild Mushrooms as an MSc Project. Subsequent to this I used several DNA investigation methods as part of my PhD in Identification and molecular characterization of mushrooms and Biofortification of Iron and Zinc in Aerobic rice lines. Since, The adoption of Bt plants in agriculture offers numerous advantages, including enhanced efficiency in controlling insect pest populations, a significant reduction in the application of chemical insecticides, and the promotion of natural enemy populations within agricultural landscapes, which can contribute to ecosystem balance and sustainability, it was natural to compile diverse literature into a Book to give the reader a flavour of the role of Genetically Engineered (GE) Plants in Insect Pest Control. Since the co-authors are from diverse areas of interest and expertise, viz., Zoology, Microbiology, Plant Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and a few in the company, we were able to gather literature on contemporary and relevant topics of interest to the science community. Coupled to the above motive, a desire to serve the temples of knowledge (University, Colleges) is also tagged as described in Indian spiritual literature.