In agriculture, microbial biotechnology covers a wide array of subjects ranging from biofertilizers to biological control of pests and diseases; from biological N 2 -fixation to lignocellulose degradation; from production of biomass and biofuels to genetically engineered plants. Similarly, microbial biotechnology in aquaculture touches several aspects such as biofilms, bioprocessing of biomaterials (metabolites, enzymes, proteins, exopolysaccharides, etc.), application of biofertilizers, probiotics, bio-remediation of contaminated water, etc. This book is an attempt to highlight the significant aspects of the vast subject area like application of microbial biotechnology in agriculture and aquaculture.

Aquaculture is currently one of the fastest growing production sectors in the world. It now accounts for nearly half (45%) of the worlds food fish (which refers to production of aquatic animals: fish, crustaceans, molluscs, amphibians) and this increase is expected to reach 50% in 2015. Genetic engineering and biotechnology have contributed vastly to this field. The most commonly used methods in fish biotechnology are chromosome manipulation and hormone treatment which can be used to produce triploid, tetraploid, haploid, gynogenetic and androgenetic fish.

Aquaculture is currently one of the fastest growing production sectors in the world. It now accounts for nearly half (45%) of the worlds food fish (which refers to production of aquatic animals: fish, crustaceans, molluscs, amphibians) and this increase is expected to reach 50% in 2015. Genetic engineering and biotechnology have contributed vastly to this field. The most commonly used methods in fish biotechnology are chromosome manipulation and hormone treatment which can be used to produce triploid, tetraploid, haploid, gynogenetic and androgenetic fish.

The application of microbial biotechnology to horticulture is of great importance, because it has the potential to increase productivity, to enhance quality and shelf-life of the produce and to develop novel techniques in food processing and for conversion of horticultural wastes into renewal energy sources. In addition, a wide array of scientific activities and resulting associated products, including biofertilizers, biological N2-fixation, microbial pesticides and microbial bio-control agents against plant pathogens focus at the interface between applied microbiology and horticulture. This volume attempts to highlight some of the significant aspects of the subjects.

Plant genetic engineering has revolutionized our ability to produce genetically improved plant varieties. Large proportions of our major crops have undergone genetic improvement through the use of recombinant DNA technology, and micro-organisms play an important role in this development. The book focuses on genetic engineering of plants for horticulture.

Plant genetic engineering has revolutionized our ability to produce genetically improved plant varieties. A large portion of our major crops have undergone genetic improvement through the use of recombinant DNA techniques in which microorganisms play a vital role. The cross-kingdom transfer of genes to incorporate novel phenotypes into plants has utilized microbes at every step-from cloning and characterization of a gene to the production of a genetically engineered plant. This book covers the important aspects of Microbial Biotechnology in Agriculture and Aquaculture with and aim to improve crop yield.

The application of microbial biotechnology to horticulture is of great importance, because it has the potential to increase productivity, to enhance quality and shelf-life of the produce and to develop novel techniques in food processing and for conversion of horticultural wastes into renewal energy sources. In addition, a wide array of scientific activities and resulting associated products, including biofertilizers, biological N2-fixation, microbial pesticides and microbial bio-control agents against plant pathogens focus at the interface between applied microbiology and horticulture. This volume attempts to highlight some of the significant aspects of the subjects. Volume 2 of this book will highlight subjects like food biotechnology, coffee and cocoa fermentation, applications of microbial enzymes in food processing, single cell protein and wine biotechnology among others.