Providing a comprehensive yet concise overview, this text describes biological technologies in crop improvement from the earliest domestication of plants to modern developments such as biopharming and marker-assisted selection. Focusing on key technical topics such as transgenesis and biocontainment, it also addresses the scientific and social context of biotechnology. It is an essential resource for students of plant science, agriculture, biotechnology and breeding as well as professionals and researchers in pharmaceutical, biofuel and breeding companies who require a succinct yet comprehensive and accessible text.