The main theme of this book deals with recent advances in understanding the organization and use of diversity in Phaseolus species, integrated genetic improvement of the common dry bean (P. vulgaris, the world's most important pulse crop), and integrated management of abiotic and biotic production constraints. Combined use of the best of the conventional and modern genetics and breeding technologies and crop management practices for sustained production of this nutritious food are elegantly documented for the first time in this volume. The authors represent a worldwide team of eminent bean...

This book comprises the proceedings of the 6th International Wheat Conference. Leading scientists from different parts of the world reviewed the main results of wheat improvement in the 20th century, and discussed the new challenges for the future to increase the stability of the world's wheat production and to keep pace with the population increase. The topics debated cover breeding and genetics, new ways of quality research, breeding for abiotic and biotic resistance, sustainable wheat production, germplasm development and exchange, and the importance of international cooperation. The...

Forage plant breeding has entered the genome era. This timely book reviews the latest advances in the development and application of molecular technologies which supplement conventional breeding efforts for our major forage crops. It describes the plethora of new technologies and tools now available for high-throughput gene discovery, genome-wide gene expression analysis, production of transgenic plants, genome analysis and marker-assisted selection as applied to forage plants. Detailed accounts are presented of current and future opportunities for innovative applications of these molecular...

Forage and turf are the backbone of sustainable agriculture and contribute extensively to the world economy. The fast-paced advancement of cellular and molecular biology provides novel methods to accelerate or complement conventional breeding efforts. This book contains the most comprehensive reviews on the latest development in applications of molecular techniques for the improvement of forage grasses, forage legumes and turf grasses. Detailed accounts and future opportunities in molecular breeding of forage and turf, from gene discovery to development of improved cultivars, are described in...

A range of techniques is available to the plant breeder today to complement classical breeding methods. The options are based on the integration of advances in plant cell biology with those in plant molecular biology.

This volume highlights the state of research in plant genetics and breeding and gives the results and applications of biotechnology procedures with regard to achievements and perspectives of molecular biology and genetic engineering in the improvement of quantitative, qualitative and nutritional characters of crops, including their resistance to pests and diseases and their adaptation to different ecosystems.

Wheat researchers have made unique contributions and excellent progress to the production increase over the past several decades, mainly in the less developed countries; however, there are many challenges that still lie ahead to make food more accessible than ever before in a sustainable manner and to meet the needs of a global growing population. Numerous biotic and abiotic stresses affect wheat in major production areas and its future growth will most likely come from marginal envir- ments where such stresses play even more important role. Developing countries are becoming increasingly...

A range of novel techniques is available to the plant breeder today to complement classical breeding methods. The new options are based on the integration of advances in plant cell biology with those in plant molecular biology.
Plant cell, tissue and organ cultures provide efficient systems for transformation, for the achievement of wide crosses and for the production of variation through spontaneous and induced mutation, while permitting effective isolation of desired genotypes by in vitro selection.
This book presents a critical appraisal of the methodologies of plant...

This book contains the papers and posters presented at the Eucarpia Fruit Breeding Section Meeting held at Wadenswil/Einsiedeln, Switzerland from August 30 to September 3, 1993. It gives an overview of the latest trends in temperate fruit breeding in Europe and overseas. Three subjects were considered in special workshops: durability of scab resistance in apple, biotechnology and molecular markers. One important aim of modern fruit breeding is stable resistance to pests and diseases. Molecular markers might help to identify the genetic basis of important characters related to disease and pest...

This book contains papers and posters presented at the 18th Eucarpia Fodder Crops Section Meeting held at Loen, Nordfjord, Norway in August 1993.
In most environments some form of marginal conditions or stress prevails. Few crops are being produced under such a wide range of environmental and management stresses as fodder crops. Improved adaptation of fodder crops to marginal conditions is crucial in developing sustainable, low-input agricultural systems. The book is unique in demonstrating the large diversity both in crops and environmental stresses that confront the forage breeders....