This proceedings is a collection of 46 selected papers that were presented at the 12th International Wheat Genetics Symposium (IWGS). Since the launch of the wheat genome sequencing project in 2005, the arrival of draft genome sequences has marked a new era in wheat genetics and genomics, catalyzing rapid advancement in the field. This book provides a comprehensive review of the forefront of wheat research, across various important topics such as germplasm and genetic diversity, cytogenetics and allopolyploid evolution, genome sequencing, structural and functional genomics, gene function and molecular biology, biotic stress, abiotic stress, grain quality, and classical and molecular breeding. Following an introduction, 9 parts of the book are dedicated to each of these topics. A final, 11th part entitled “Toward Sustainable Wheat Production” contains 7 excellent papers that were presented in the 12th IWGS Special Session supported by the OECD. With rapid population growth and radical climate changes, the world faces a global food crisis and is in need of another Green Revolution to boost yields of wheat and other widely grown staple crops. Although this book focuses on wheat, many of the newly developed techniques and results presented here can be applied to other plant species with large and complex genomes. As such, this volume is highly recommended for all students and researchers in wheat sciences and related plant sciences and for those who are interested in stable food production and food security.

The book mainly describes the QTL mappings and efficacy analyses that are associated with wheat productivity, quality, physiology and various stress resistances and provides summaries of results from studies conducted both at home and abroad. It presents comparable data and analyses, helping readers to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the latest development in this field. The book provides a wealth of novel information, broad range of applications and in-depth findings on crop genetics and molecular breeding, making it valuable not only for plant breeders but also for academic faculties, senior researchers and advanced graduate students who are involved in plant breeding and genetics. Dr. Jichun Tian is a professor at the Department of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China.

This work is a comprehensive history of wheat across all its main areas of production. New techniques such as in vitro culture now enable the development of a greater level of understanding of the genetics of wheat.

Genetic information, especially about the nature of combining ability and type of gene action governing inheritance of important traits are guidelines to a breeder in selecting parents for development of hybrids, varieties and lines. This book is about results of research conducted on non segregating generations (parents and F1s ) and selected segregating (F2) population derived from 12 elite bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes following line by tester mating system. Parameters such as days to flowering and maturity; plant height, number of tillers per plant; peduncle length; spike length; total biomass per plant; number of grains per spike; grain yield per plant; 100-grain weight; and harvest index were analyzed and moreover, rust resistance mechanism was also considered. The objective is to reveal information on extent of heterosis and inbreeding depression; nature of gene action; extent of variability and genetic advance; association of component traits with each other and grain yield; and the way the component traits affect grain yield and finally rust resistance mechanisms. The book is helpful to mid-level researchers and students who seek to know more about wheat.