Page 171 - Advances in Textile Biotechnology

152 Advances in textile biotechnology

The second group of fibres are derived from the leaves of monocotyledon
plants such as yucca (Yucca elata), banana (Musa textilis) and Agave species

(e.g. Agave sisalana, A. fourcroydes). The leaf fibres are mainly used for the
production of ropes or thick cords that can be used in furniture and fl oor
coverings. In addition, fibres can also be derived from the whole stems of

monocotyledons such as sugarcane (Saccharum offi cinarum) and bamboo
(Bambusa and Dendrocalamus species). The last group contains fi bres
obtained from seeds and seed pods of both monocotyledons and dicotyle-
dons and includes the major fibre plant cotton (Gossypium sp.), coir (Cocos

nucifera) and kapok (Ceiba pentandra).

7.2.1 Fibre improvement

Despite recent controversies (mainly in Europe) over the use of genetic
engineering techniques to improve plant growth and product quality, it
should be emphasised that man, through the selection/utilization of seeds
from ‘elite’ (high-quality) individual plants has practiced plant improve-
ment since the beginning of settled agriculture (Batista and Oliveira, 2009).
More recently, a better understanding of genetics and the development of
molecular markers have allowed the development of more effi cient plant-
breeding programmes in order to improve plant/product quality (Moose
and Mumm, 2008). Over the past few years there has been a veritable explo-
sion in the amount of genomic information available, not only for model
plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and poplar, but also for economically
important species such as rice, wheat and maize, as well as for cotton (Chen
et al., 2007). Research programmes are also underway to provide similar

information in bast fibre species such as flax and hemp. The current avail-

ability of such genomic data will allow us to improve our understanding of

the biological bases underlying fibre formation thereby facilitating quality
improvement.

In the context of fibre production, plants can be ‘improved’ either by
increasing/optimizing plant growth and biomass production (quantitative
improvement) and/or by improving the basic physicochemical and mechan-

ical properties of fibres (qualitative improvement). Quantitative improve-
ments have been obtained in a wide variety of different plant species by
targeting ‘agronomic’ parameters such as growth rate, photosynthesis, water
and nutrient-use efficiency, disease resistance, and stress resistance (Yuan

et al., 2009). For example, growth rate can be altered by introducing genes
to modify the biosynthesis of key hormones involved in signal transduction
in plants (Morinaka et al., 2006, Peng et al., 1999). Because abiotic stress
and pathogen attacks limit biomass production, increased resistance to
these factors also represents a key objective. In tobacco and potato, trans-
formation with the gene encoding DREB1A (dehydration response element

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