Broadening the Genetic Bases of Crop Production

by H D Cooper, Toby Hodgkin, Charlie Spillane

Overview

This book focuses on the previously neglected interface between the conservation of plant genetic resources and their utilization. Only through utilization can the potential value of conserved genetic resources be realized. However, as this book shows, much conserved germplan has to be subjected to long term pre-breeding and genetic enhancement before it can be used in plant breeding programs. The authors explore the rationale and approaches for such pre-breeding efforts as the basis for broadening the genetic bases of crop production. Examples from a range of major food crops are presented and issues are analyzed by leading authorities from around the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780851994116
Publisher:	CABI
Publication date:	01/26/2001
Series:	CABI
Pages:	480
Product dimensions:	6.88(w) x 9.75(h) x (d)

About the Author

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome

International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), Rome

Institute for Plant Biology, Zurich

Table of Contents

Contributors

Editorial Reviews

"For plant breeders, scientists concerned with genetic resource conservation, and research managers in agriculture and biodiversity, a collection of papers on approaches that contribute to broadening the genetic base of crops—a prerequisite to the commitment by World Food Summit leaders to halve the number of undernourished people by 2015. A number of the papers describe efforts at large-scale development of locally adapted populations from unimproved or exotic sources through long-term, population-based approaches. Others reflect recent developments in participatory plant breeding and in situ conservation of genetic resources."—SciTech Book News

From the Publisher

For plant breeders, scientists concerned with genetic resource conservation, and research managers in agriculture and biodiversity, a collection of papers on approaches that contribute to broadening the genetic base of crops<-->a prerequisite to the commitment by World Food Summit leaders to halve the number of undernourished people by 2015. A number of the papers describe efforts at large-scale development of locally adapted populations from unimproved or exotic sources through long-term, population-based approaches. Others reflect recent developments in participatory plant breeding and in situ conservation of genetic resources. Distributed by Oxford U. Press. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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