Genetic manipulation of crops

Genetic engineering offers an opportunity to improve aspects of the agronomic performance, resistance to pests and pathogens and end use quality of crops by inserting specific genes. Discusses the basic principles and procedures of plant genetic engineering, including the use of particle bombardment for delivery of genes into regenerable tissues. Also discusses how this technology can be used to alter the level (up or down‐regulation) or pattern of expression of endogenous genes, or to insert novel activities or properties by inserting genes from other sources (other plants, animals or microbes). Finally, describes work in progress in our own laboratories on the improvement of the bread‐ making quality of wheat by manipulating the amount and composition of the HMW subunits of glutenin.