Grain Legumes: Evolution and Genetic Resources

by J. Smartt

Overview

A wide-ranging survey of all the major grain legumes from their evolution to their potential for further development and improvement as economically important food crops. The book covers the changes that have occurred in the course of plant domestication leading to our present pulse crops and oilseed legume crops. The author also discusses the benefits to be gained from evaluation and improvement of grain legume genetic resources. This is a suitable book for advanced undergraduate courses in plant breeding and postgraduate courses in genetic resource conservation, collection and management.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521307970
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/19/1990
Pages:	392
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.94(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction: biosystematics of the legumes; 2. The role of grain legumes in the human economy; 3. The groundnut, Arachis hypogaea L.; 4. The New World pulses: Phaseolus species; 5. The Old World pulses: Vigna species; 6. Pulses of the classical world; 7. The other legume oilseeds; 8. The pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.); 9. Minor grain legumes; 10. Germplasm resources and the future; References; Postscript; Supplementary references; Author index; General index.

Editorial Reviews

"Smartt does an excellent job of pulling together the available knowledge on grain legumes and realistically outlines future research objectives and potentials for these plants. This book will serve a useful purpose as a reference for all interested in grain legumes and crop domestication." Daniel Harder, Biochemical Systematics and Ecology

"...I highly recommend this monograph on grain legume genetic resources and evolution both as a reference and as a textbook for upper class undergraduates and graduate classes in genetic resources conservation and crop evolution." Paul Gepts, Economic Botany

From the Publisher