This book describes the experimental and analytical methodologies available for the genetical analysis of qualitative, quasi-quantitative and quantitative traits and its applications in practical plant breeding and evolution. Models for studying quantitative genetic variation following Birmingham and Edinburgh notations are described. The statistics used is simple and systematic so that the reader will have no difficulty in solving problems in plant genetics. It describes the genetic principles and provides breeding procedures underlying various breeding methods for manipulating qualitative, quasi-quantitative and quantitative traits. It takes into account the latest developments in breeding methodologies including dihaiploidy and apomixis, applications of tissue culture for plant breeding use, genetic engineering for production of transgenics and hybrids, and molecular marker technologies in the analysis of quantitative trait loci, marker assisted selection, evolution and conservation of genetic resources. This book will be useful for undergraduates, postgraduates, teachers and researchers working in the field of genetics and plant breeding.

Quantitative Genetics and Selection in Plant Breeding.

Latest figures suggest that approximately 20% of the world's population of six billion is malnourished because of food shortages and inadequate distrib ution systems. To make matters worse, it is estimated that some 75 billion metric tons of soil are removed annually from the land by wind and soil ero sion, much of it from agricultural land, which is thereby rendered unsuitable for agricultural purposes. Moreover, out of a total land area under cultivation 9 6 of approximately 1. 5 x 10 ha, some 12 x 10 ha of arable land are destroyed and abandoned worldwide each year because of unsustainable agricultural practices. Add to this the fact that the world population is increasing at the rate of a quarter of a million per day, and the enormity of the task ahead becomes apparent. To quote the eminent wheat breeder E. R. Sears, It seems clear that plant geneticists can look forward to an expanded role in the 21st century, particularly in relation to plant improvement. The suc cess of these efforts may go a long way towards determining whether the world's increasing billions of humans will be adequately fed. Food for an ever-increasing population will have to be produced not only from an ever-diminishing, but from what will become an ever-deteriorating land resource unless justifiable environmental concerns are taken into account.

Essentials of Plant Breeding is a textbook for a first-semester course in plant breeding. Essentials of Plant Breeding was written as a prequel to Dr. Bernardo's first textbook, Breeding for Quantitative Traits in Plants. This prequel describes how modes of reproduction affect the choice of breeding methods, and outlines the breeding methods appropriate for self-pollinated, cross-pollinated, and asexually propagated species. In addition, Essentials of Plant Breeding includes a review of basic genetics; an introduction to the use of DNA markers in plant breeding; and a description of general features of breeding programs for field crops, vegetables and fruits, forages, turfgrasses, flowers and ornamentals, and tree and palm species.

The revised edition of the bestselling textbook, covering both classical and molecular plant breeding Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding integrates theory and practice to provide an insightful examination of the fundamental principles and advanced techniques of modern plant breeding. Combining both classical and molecular tools, this comprehensive textbook describes the multidisciplinary strategies used to produce new varieties of crops and plants, particularly in response to the increasing demands to of growing populations. Illustrated chapters cover a wide range of topics, including plant reproductive systems, germplasm for breeding, molecular breeding, the common objectives of plant breeders, marketing and societal issues, and more. Now in its third edition, this essential textbook contains extensively revised content that reflects recent advances and current practices. Substantial updates have been made to its molecular genetics and breeding sections, including discussions of new breeding techniques such as zinc finger nuclease, oligonucleotide directed mutagenesis, RNA-dependent DNA methylation, reverse breeding, genome editing, and others. A new table enables efficient comparison of an expanded list of molecular markers, including Allozyme, RFLPs, RAPD, SSR, ISSR, DAMD, AFLP, SNPs and ESTs. Also, new and updated “Industry Highlights” sections provide examples of the practical application of plant breeding methods to real-world problems. This new edition: Organizes topics to reflect the stages of an actual breeding project Incorporates the most recent technologies in the field, such as CRSPR genome edition and grafting on GM stock Includes numerous illustrations and end-of-chapter self-assessment questions, key references, suggested readings, and links to relevant websites Features a companion website containing additional artwork and instructor resources Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding offers researchers and professionals an invaluable resource and remains the ideal textbook for advanced undergraduates and graduates in plant science, particularly those studying plant breeding, biotechnology, and genetics.

This book presents state-of-the-art, authoritative chapters on contemporary issues in the broad areas of quantitative genetics, genomics and plant breeding. Section 1 (Chapters 2 to 12) emphasizes the application of genomics, and genome and epigenome editing techniques, in plant breeding; bioinformatics; quantitative trait loci mapping; and the latest approaches of examining and exploiting genotype-environment interactions. Section 2 (Chapters 13 to 20) represents the intersection of breeding, genetics and genomics. This section describes the use of cutting-edge molecular breeding and quantitative genetics techniques in wheat, rice, maize, root and tuber crops and pearl millet. Overall, the book focuses on using genomic information to help evaluate traits that can combat biotic/abiotic stresses, genome-wide association mapping, high-throughput genotyping/phenotyping, biofortification, use of big data, orphan crops, and gene editing techniques. The examples featured are taken from across crop science research and cover a wide geographical base.

Our requirement for plant breeders to be successful has never been greater. However one views the forecasted numbers for future population growth we will need, in the immediate future, to be feeding, clothing and housing many more people than we do, inadequately, at present. Plant breeding represents the most valuable strategy in increasing our productivity in a way that is sustainable and environmentally sensitive. Plant breeding can rightly be considered as one of the oldest multidisciplin ary subjects that is known to humans. It was practised by people who first started to carry out a settled form of agriculture. The art, as it must have been at that stage, was applied without any formal underlying framework, but achieved dramatic results, as witnessed by the forms of cultivated plants we have today. We are now learning how to apply successfully the results of yet imperfect scientific knowledge. This knowledge is, however, rapidly develop ing, particularly in areas of tissue culture, biotechnology and molecular biology. Plant breeding's inherent multifaceted nature means that alongside obvious subject areas like genetics we also need to consider areas such as: statistics, physiology, plant pathology, entomology, biochemistry, weed science, quality, seed characteristics, reproductive biology, trial design, se lection and computing.