(Review paper) The role of biotechnology in crop improvement

Abstract

Biotechnology is currently playing a vital role in the improvement of crop plants generally. This is because of its abil ity to overcome the shortcomings of other conventional practices of crop improvement. This paper therefore considered the two broad aspects of Biotechnology in crop improvement name I); Genetic Engineering and Bio culture and the various practices under each aspect. In genetic engineering. Virus and Bacterium gene vectors, m icroinjection. macro  injection. Biolistics. Pollen tube-pathway, Electroporation, Liposome fusion were considered. While in Bio culture Techniques. Embryo Rescue. Tissue Culture,  Anther/Pollen Culture and Protoplast Culture were looked at. The Author also offers suggestions that will improve access to Biotechnology in Nigeria.