Exploration, Identification and Utilization of Barley Germplasm explores the timely global challenges related to barley production posed by the narrowing of biodiversity and problem soils, identifying elite genotypes which will enhance barley breeding and be essential to genetic and evolution studies. The book covers the utilization of barley germplasm for improving the quality of both food and feed barley as well as exploring and utilizing varieties of germplasm that are tolerant to drought, waterlogged, salt, and acid soil. Chapters are devoted to prime strategies for future research, including identifying barley germplasm by applying Omics, exploring barley germplasm by means of the Focused Identification of Germplasm Strategy (FIGS), and creating barley germplasm through mutation. Users will find this book to be a key research reference for both professionals and academics, providing a comprehensive update for established barley researchers that equips them with an understanding of the new methodologies needed for innovation and discovery, while also providing a helpful entry to the subject for young researchers and students. - Provides a one-stop shop to acquire a speedy overview of the main and recently applied issues of barley breeding - Provides newly-developed methodologies in barley germplasm research - Describes special genotypes from wild barley, including Tibetan wild barley, which show a high tolerance to abiotic stresses and carry different alleles from cultivated barley

This book presents an overview of the state-of-the-art in barley genome analysis, covering all aspects of sequencing the genome and translating this important information into new knowledge in basic and applied crop plant biology and new tools for research and crop improvement. Unlimited access to a high-quality reference sequence is removing one of the major constraints in basic and applied research. This book summarizes the advanced knowledge of the composition of the barley genome, its genes and the much larger non-coding part of the genome, and how this information facilitates studying the specific characteristics of barley. One of the oldest domesticated crops, barley is the small grain cereal species that is best adapted to the highest altitudes and latitudes, and it exhibits the greatest tolerance to most abiotic stresses. With comprehensive access to the genome sequence, barley’s importance as a genetic model in comparative studies on crop species like wheat, rye, oats and even rice is likely to increase.

This book brings together chapters related to sustainable utilization of biological resources, including in situ and ex situ conservation of rare, endangered, and threatened plants. The title also gives a special emphasis on marine sponges and mangrove ecosystems, which are two important untapped potential resources of the marine ecosystem and play a key role in maintaining the marine ecosystem. There is an urgent need for the conservation, exploration and utilization of bioresources for the growth and survival of human beings. Due to the significant reduction in biological resources, many countries are developing strategic action plans for the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources. That is where this book fills the gap by discussing the significant development of new products and methodologies for sustainable utilization of these resources. This book also unveils a world of novel bioactive molecules from medicinal plants and the marine ecosystem and explains how drug design pipelines can advance modern drug development. The target audiences for this book include biodiversity researchers who are working on technology and bioresource management issues and faculty and students in the environment research areas and Biodiversity conservation.

Contents 1. Maria Isabel Andrade: Sweetpotato Breeder, Technology Transfer Specialist, and Advocate 1 2. Development of Cold Climate Grapes in the Upper Midwestern U.S.: The Pioneering Work of Elmer Swenson 31 3. Candidate Genes to Extend Fleshy Fruit Shelf Life 61 4. Breeding Naked Barley for Food, Feed, and Malt 95 5. The Foundations, Continuing Evolution, and Outcomes from the Application of Intellectual Property Protection in Plant Breeding and Agriculture 121 6. The Use of Endosperm Genes for Sweet Corn Improvement: A review of developments in endosperm genes in sweet corn since the seminal publication in Plant Breeding Reviews, Volume 1, by Charles Boyer and Jack Shannon (1984) 215 7. Gender and Farmer Preferences for Varietal Traits: Evidence and Issues for Crop Improvement 243 8. Domestication, Genetics, and Genomics of the American Cranberry 279 9. Images and Descriptions of Cucurbita maxima in Western Europe in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries 317

Microbial Endophytes: Functional Biology and Applications focuses on endophytic bacteria and fungi, including information on foundational endophytes and the latest advances in relevant genomics, proteomics and nanotechnological aspects. The book provides insights into the molecular aspects of plant endophytes and their interactions and applications, also exploring the potential commercialization of endophytic microorganisms and their use as bio fertilizers, in biocontrol, and as bioactive compounds for other sustainable applications. Coverage of important and emerging legal considerations relevant to those working to implement these important bacteria in production processes is also included. - Presents discussion on entry, colonization and the distribution of endophytic microorganisms - Explores the phyto immunological functions of endophytic microorganisms - Provides genomic insights on plant endophyte interaction - Identifies bio-commercial aspects of microbial endophytes for sustainable agriculture, including potential legal issues and IPR in microbial research

After more than 30 years, The Book of Fructans represents the first and most comprehensive coverage of fructans generated by pioneer glycoscientists from the field. It outlines the fundamentals of all fructan types, their terminology, chemical and structural-functional features, biosynthetic enzymes that make and break them, their presence and possible roles in nature, their evolutionary aspects and their microbial, enzymatic, and plant-based production. Additional sections cover the applications of fructans, specifically, the agro/chemical and biomedical applications, health, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, fructans in food and feed, fructan nanotechnology, the immunomodulatory and antiviral effects of fructans and the perspectives for fructans in circular economies and sustainable societies. Intended for scientists, entrepreneurs, academicians and students working in related fields, this book will be a useful resource for all who wish to learn more about these extraordinary carbohydrates. - Combines all aspects of fructans in a single volume - Covers fundamentals, applications and society - Introduces 'Fructans for Life' concepts