This book is open access under a CC BY-NC 2.5 license. This book offers 19 detailed protocols on the use of induced mutations in crop breeding and functional genomics studies, which cover topics including chemical and physical mutagenesis, phenotypic screening methods, traditional TILLING and TILLING by sequencing, doubled haploidy, targeted genome editing, and low-cost methods for the molecular characterization of mutant plants that are suitable for laboratories in developing countries. The collection of protocols equips users with the techniques they need in order to start a program on mutation breeding or functional genomics using both forward and reverse-genetic approaches. Methods are provided for seed and vegetatively propagated crops (e.g. banana, barley, cassava, jatropha, rice) and can be adapted for use in other species.

Biotechnology and Plant Breeding includes critical discussions of the newest and most important applications of biotechnology in plant breeding, covering key topics such as biometry applied to molecular analysis of genetic diversity, genetically modified plants, and more. This work goes beyond recombinant DNA technology to bring together key information and references on new biotech tools for cultivar development, such as double-haploids, molecular markers, and genome-wide selection, among others. It is increasingly challenging for plant breeders and agricultural systems to supply enough food, feed, fiber and biofuel for the global population. As plant breeding evolves and becomes increasingly sophisticated, a staggering volume of genetic data is now generated. Biotechnology and Plant Breeding helps researchers and students become familiar with how the vast amounts of genetic data are generated, stored, analyzed and applied. This practical resource integrates information about plant breeding into the context of modern science, and assists with training for plant breeders including those scientists who have a good understanding of molecular biology/biotechnology and need to learn the art and practice of plant breeding. Plant biologists, breeding technicians, agronomists, seed technologists, students, and any researcher interested in biotechnologies applied to plant breeding will find this work an essential tool and reference for the field. - Presents in-depth but easy-to-understand coverage of topics, so plant breeders can readily comprehend them and apply them to their breeding programs - Includes chapters that address the already developed and optimized biotechnologies for cultivar development, with real-world application for users - Features contributions by authors with several years of experience in their areas of expertise

This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.

Abstract: This book presents contemporary information on mutagenesis in plants and its applications in plant breeding and research. The topics are classified into sections focusing on the concepts, historical development and genetic basis of plant mutation breeding (chapters 1-6); mutagens and induced mutagenesis (chapters 7-13); mutation induction and mutant development (chapters 14-23); mutation breeding (chapters 24-34); or mutations in functional genomics (chapters 35-41). This book is an essential reference for those who are conducting research on mutagenesis as an approach to improving or modifying a trait, or achieving basic understanding of a pathway for a trait --.

Global demand for wheat, rice, corn, and other essential grains is expected to steadily rise over the next twenty years. Meeting this demand by increasing production through increased land use is not very likely; and while better crop management may make a marginal difference, most agriculture experts agree that this anticipated deficit must be made up through increased crop yields. The first resource of its kind, Physiology and Biotechnology Integration for Plant Breeding assembles current research in crop plant physiology, plant biotechnology, and plant breeding that is aimed toward improving crop plants genetically while supporting a productive agriculture ecosystem. Highly comprehensive, this reference provides access to the most innovative perspectives in crop physiology – with a special emphasis on molecular approaches – aimed at the formulation of those crop cultivars that offer the greatest potential to increase crop yields in stress environments. Surveys the current state of the field, as well as modern options and avenues for plant breeders and biotechnologists interested in augmenting crop yield and stability With the contributions of plant scientists from all corners of the globe who are actively involved in meeting this important challenge, Physiology and Biotechnology Integration for Plant Breeding provides readers with the background information needed to understand this cutting-edge work, as well as detailed information on present and potential applications. While the first half of the book establishes and fully explains the link between crop physiology and molecular biology, the second part explores the application of biotechnology in the effective delivery of the high yield and environmentally stable crop plants needed to avert the very real possibility of worldwide hunger.

As the oldest and largest human intervention in nature, the science of agriculture is one of the most intensely studied practices. From manipulation of plant gene structure to the use of plants for bioenergy, biotechnology interventions in plant and agricultural science have been rapidly developing over the past ten years with immense forward leaps on an annual basis. This book begins by laying the foundations for plant biotechnology by outlining the biological aspects including gene structure and expression, and the basic procedures in plant biotechnology of genomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics and proteomics. It then focuses on a discussion of the impacts of biotechnology on plant breeding technologies and germplasm sustainability. The role of biotechnology in the improvement of agricultural traits, production of industrial products and pharmaceuticals as well as biomaterials and biomass provide a historical perspective and a look to the future. Sections addressing intellectual property rights and sociological and food safety issues round out the holistic discussion of this important topic. Includes specific emphasis on the inter-relationships between basic plant biotechnologies and applied agricultural applications, and the way they contribute to each other Provides an updated review of the major plant biotechnology procedures and techniques, their impact on novel agricultural development and crop plant improvement Takes a broad view of the topic with discussions of practices in many countries

Recent progress in biotechnology and genomics has expanded the plant breeders’ horizon providing a molecular platform on the traditional plant breeding, which is now known as ‘plant molecular breeding’. Although diverse technologies for molecular breeding have been developed and applied individually for plant genetic improvement, common use in routine breeding programs seems to be limited probably due to the complexity and incomplete understanding of the technologies. This book is intended to provide a guide for researchers or graduate students involved in plant molecular breeding by describing principles and application of recently developed technologies with actual case studies for practical use. The nine topics covered in this book include the basics on genetic analysis of agronomic traits, methods of detecting QTLs, the application of molecular markers, genomics-assisted breeding including epigenomic issues, and genome-wide association studies. Identification methods of mutagenized plants, actual case studies for the isolation and functional studies of genes, the basics of gene transfer in major crops and the procedures for commercialization of GM crops are also described. This book would be a valuable reference for plant molecular breeders and a cornerstone for the development of new technologies in plant molecular breeding for the future.

Assists policymakers in evaluating the appropriate scientific methods for detecting unintended changes in food and assessing the potential for adverse health effects from genetically modified products. In this book, the committee recommended that greater scrutiny should be given to foods containing new compounds or unusual amounts of naturally occurring substances, regardless of the method used to create them. The book offers a framework to guide federal agencies in selecting the route of safety assessment. It identifies and recommends several pre- and post-market approaches to guide the assessment of unintended compositional changes that could result from genetically modified foods and research avenues to fill the knowledge gaps.