Cytology , Genetics, Evolution,Biostatistics and Plant Breeding for B.Sc. & M.Sc. Students

An introductory discussion of basic chromosome structure and function preceeds the main text on the application of cytogenetic approaches to the analysis of the manipulation of both the genetic make-up and the genetic transmission system of plant breeding material. Analysis using light and electron microscopy, segregations and molecular techniques, yields information for assessing the material before and after manipulation. Much attention is given to quantitative methods. Manipulation not only involves the construction of specific genotypes, but also chromosomal transmission systems. Although analysis and manipulation in the somatic cycle are considered, the focus is on the generative cycle, with emphasis on analysis and subsequent segregation of specifically constructed material. The book is intended for plant breeders and other scientists interested in the analysis and manipulation of breeding material at the chromosomal level. Comparisons with molecular and cell biological approaches are made, and the potential of the various methods is evaluated.

This two-volume work surveys the entire range of general aspects of chromosome research on plants. This first volume is divided into two sections. Section A consists of 11 chapters covering the entire range of general aspects of chromosome research in plants (including a chapter on genetic engineering in crop improvement). Section B is devoted to cytogenetics of cereals and millets (wheat, rye, barley, triticale, oats, maize, rice, pearl millet, and minor millets). More than one chapter is devoted to the same crop to give a detailed treatment of chromosome research (including molecular biology) in these crops.The second volume deals with cytogenetics of plant materials including legumes, vegetable and oil crops, sugar crops, forage crops, fibre crops, medicinal crops and ornamentals. This work will be useful both as a reference work and a teaching aid to satisfy a wide range of workers. Every chapter has been written by an expert who has been involved in chromosome research on a particular plant material for many years.

Earlier books on the handling of plant chromosomes have not included many of the innovations in cytological techniques for many important crops that have become available in recent years, including information on associating genes with chromosomes. The aim of this book is to compile all the plant cytogenetic techniques, previously published in earlier books, into a laboratory manual. The first part of the book describes standard cytological techniques that are routinely used by students. The second part covers methods used for specific crops for which common cytological methods do not work satisfactorily. The third part discusses cytogenetic techniques (cytology and genetics) for physically locating genes on specific chromosomes. This novel book will be highly useful to students, teachers, and researchers as it is a convenient and comprehensive reference for all plant cytogenetic techniques and protocols.

Chromosomes and heredity. Chromosome structure. The sex chromosomes: heteropycnosis and its bearing on some general questions of chromosome behavior. Chromosomal interchanges. Chromosomal differences between races and species of drosophila. Evolution of the germplasm. Cytology and genetics of protozoa. Heredity status of the rhizopods. Nuclear behavior and reproduction in ciliated protozoa. Inheritance in ciliated protozoa. Physiology of the nucleus. The chromosomes of the amphibian nucleus. Radiation and the cell nucleus.

Cell organisation; Chemical basis of heredity; Catalytic functions of DNA; Physical organisation of the hereditary material; Cell division; Principles of inheritance; Linkage and crossing over; Gene expression and interaction; Determination of sex; Variation in chromosome number; Variation of chromosome structure; Mutation; Cytoplasmic inheritance and material; The gene since mendel; Genetic regulatory mechanisms; Genetic engineering; Quantitative inheritance; Genes in populations; Hybrid vigour or heterosis; Methods of plan breeding; Crop improvement; Evidences for evolution; Theories of evolution.

For Degree level Students