Plant Breeding and Genetics: A Molecular Approach

Plant breeding or plant genetics refers to the application of genetic principles for producing new breeds of plants that are more useful to humans. It deals with heredity in plants, mechanisms of hereditary transmission, and variation of inherited characteristics. Genomic selection is one the emerging methods of molecular breeding used for crop improvement. This method assists in the identification of superior genotypes with higher breeding value in segregating breeding populations. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is an another molecular breeding method in which morphological, biochemical or DNA markers are used for indirect selection of a genetic determinant or determinants of a trait of interest. Some of the desirable traits include disease resistance, tolerance of abiotic stress, productivity, and quality. This book includes some of the vital pieces of works being conducted across the world, on various topics related to plant genetics and molecular breeding. Scientists and students actively engaged in plant breeding and genetics research will find it full of crucial and unexplored concepts.