Advances in Orchid Biology, Biotechnology and Omics

This book provides comprehensive insights into the existing and emerging trends in orchid biology based on the findings of omics, high-throughput technology, biotechnology, molecular breeding, and genome editing approaches in orchids. It illustrates molecular mechanisms of orchid mycorrhizal symbiosis according to the recent achievements of transcriptomics and bioinformatics studies which accelerate the progress of orchid research with the aid of their high-throughput tools. In this book, a comprehensive view of orchid breeding was presented, and it includes fundamental methods as well as advanced strategies through the combination of several technologies such as genetic engineering, omics, computational biology, and genome editing. These resulting knowledge and tools are highly beneficial for obtaining novel and fascinating varieties in the orchid market which is a competitive industry of global trade. Another interesting content is the focus on the production of orchid bioactive compounds and their values in the field of ethnomedicine. Their sources chiefly came from secondary metabolites and can be enriched through elicitors and produced more efficiently by improved tissue culture protocols and bioreactors. In this edited collection, we provided space for presenting an updated review of in vitro seed germination which is a routine technology for well-trained researchers but can give a complete demonstration for the potential audiences including growers and research beginners.

This book collects refined knowledge from a broad source of scientific literature by experts in the field of orchid research and surely is an adequate reference and textbook for students, teachers, and researchers. It includes methods and applications of orchid breeding technology which would gain high attention from growers, breeders, and the related fields of agriculture.

Dr. Pragya Tiwari is working as Research Professor in the Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Republic of Korea. She possesses research/teaching experience of more than 8 years in national/international institutions in the field of plant sciences, with research experience in areas of phytomolecules from medicinal plants, plant-associated endophytes, plant-microbe interactions and computational biology in drug designing. She has been a recipient of various research fellowships/recognitions from CSIR and ICAR, Govt. of India and gained scientific recognitions for her work in inter-disciplinary areas of plant sciences. She has been an active participant/presenter in more than 30 symposiums/conferences on international/national platforms and holds life memberships of scientific societies including Korean Society of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Indian Science Congress Association and The Society of Biological Chemist, India. Her research work has gained broad interest through highly-cited publications, book chapters and invited lectures. Her area of research comprises plant-endophyte interactions in Panax ginseng and the significance of bioactive metabolite (ginsenoside) in promoting plant growth and as bio-stimulants in sustainable agriculture.

Dr. Jen-Tsung Chen is currently a professor at the National University of Kaohsiung in Taiwan. He teaches cell biology, genomics, proteomics, medicinal plant biotechnology, and plant tissue culture. His research interests include bioactive compounds, chromatography techniques, in vitro culture, medicinal plants, phytochemicals, plant physiology, and plant biotechnology. He has published over 100 scientific papers and serves as an editorial board member for Plant Methods and Plant Nano Biology.