Genomic selection (GS) has been the most prominent topic in breeding science in the last two decades. The continued interest is promoted by its huge potential impact on the efficiency of breeding. Predicting a breeding value based on molecular markers and phenotypic values of relatives may be used to manipulate three parameters of the breeder's equation. First, the accuracy of the selection may be improved by predicting the genetic value more reliably when considering the records of relatives and the realized genomic relationship. Secondly, genotyping and predicting may be more cost effective than comprehensive phenotyping. Resources can instead be allocated to increasing population sizes and selection intensity. The third, probably most important factor, is time. As shown in dairy cattle breeding, reducing cycle time by crossing selection candidates earlier may have the strongest impact on selection gain. Many different prediction models have been used, and different ways of using predicted values in a breeding program have been explored. We would like to address the questions: i. How did GS change breeding schemes of different crops in the last 20 years? ii. What was the impact on realized selection gain? iii. What would be the best structure of a crop-specific breeding scheme to exploit the full potential of GS? iv. What is the potential of hybrid prediction, epistasis effect models, deep learning methods and other extensions of the standard prediction of additive effects? v. What are the long-term effects of GS? vi. Can predictive breeding approaches also be used to harness genetic resources from germplasm banks in a more efficient way to adapt current germplasm to new environmental challenges? This Research Topic welcomes submissions of Original Research papers, Opinions, Perspectives, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews related to these themes: 1. Genomic selection: statistical methodology 2. The (optimal) use of GS in breeding schemes 3. Practical experiences with GS (selection gain, long-term effects, negative side effects) 4. Predictive approaches to harness genetic resources Concerning point 1): If an original research paper compares different methods empirically without theoretical considerations on when one or the other method should be better, the methods should be compared with at least five different data sets. The data sets should differ either in crop, genotyping method or its source, for instance from a breeding program or gene bank accessions. Concerning point 2): Manuscripts addressing the use of GS in breeding schemes should illustrate breeding schemes that are run in practice. General ideas about schemes that may be run in the future may be considered as 'Perspective' articles. Conflict of Interest statements: - Topic Editor Valentin Wimmer is affiliated to KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA, Germany. - Topic Editor Brian Gardunia is affiliated to Bayer Crop Sciences and has a collaboration with AbacusBio, and is an author on patents with Bayer Crop Sciences. The other Topic Editors did not disclose any conflicts of interest. Image credit: CIMMYT, reproduced under the CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license

Rapid, inexpensive, and easy-to-deploy, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy can be used to analyze samples of virtually any composition, origin, and condition. The Handbook of Near Infrared Analysis, Fourth Edition, explores the factors necessary to perform accurate and time- and cost-effective analyses across a growing spectrum of disciplines. This updated and expanded edition incorporates the latest advances in instrumentation, computerization, chemometrics applied to NIR spectroscopy, and method development in NIR spectroscopy, and underscores current trends in sample preparation, calibration transfer, process control, data analysis, instrument performance testing, and commercial NIR instrumentation. This work offers readers an unparalleled combination of theoretical foundations, cutting-edge applications, and practical experience. Additional features include the following: Explains how to perform accurate as well as time- and cost-effective analyses. Reviews software-enabled chemometric methods and other trends in data analysis. Highlights novel applications in pharmaceuticals, polymers, plastics, petrochemicals, textiles, foods and beverages, baked products, agricultural products, biomedicine, nutraceuticals, and counterfeit detection. Underscores current trends in sample preparation, calibration transfer, process control, data analysis, and multiple aspects of commercial NIR instrumentation. Offering the most complete single-source guide of its kind, the Handbook of Near Infrared Analysis, Fourth Edition, continues to offer practicing chemists and spectroscopists an unparalleled combination of theoretical foundations, cutting-edge applications, and detailed practical experience provided firsthand by more than 50 experts in the field.

This book aims to help plant breeders by reviewing past achievements, currently successful practices, and emerging methods and techniques. Theoretical considerations are also presented to strike the right balance between being as simple as possible but as complex as necessary. The United Nations predicts that the global human population will continue rising to 9.0 billion by 2050. World food production will need to increase between 70-100 per cent in just 40 years. First generation bio-fuels are also using crops and cropland to produce energy rather than food. In addition, land area used for agriculture may remain static or even decrease as a result of degradation and climate change, despite more land being theoretically available, unless crops can be bred which tolerate associated abiotic stresses. Lastly, it is unlikely that steps can be taken to mitigate all of the climate change predicted to occur by 2050, and beyond, and hence adaptation of farming systems and crop production will be required to reduce predicted negative effects on yields that will occur without crop adaptation. Substantial progress will therefore be required in bridging the yield gap between what is currently achieved per unit of land and what should be possible in future, with the best farming methods and best storage and transportation of food, given the availability of suitably adapted cultivars, including adaptation to climate change. My book is divided into four parts: Part I is an historical introduction; Part II deals with the origin of genetic variation by mutation and recombination of DNA; Part III explains how the mating system of a crop species determines the genetic structure of its landraces; Part IV considers the three complementary options for future progress: use of sexual reproduction in further conventional breeding, base broadening and introgression; mutation breeding; and genetically modified crops.

A comprehensive description and assessment of the use of marker-assisted selection for increasing the rate of genetic gain in crops, livestock, forestry and fish, including the related policy, FAO's tradition of dealing with issues of importance to agricultural and economic development in a multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral manner.

Genomic Selection for Crop Improvement serves as handbook for users by providing basic as well as advanced understandings of genomic selection. This useful review explains germplasm use, phenotyping evaluation, marker genotyping methods, and statistical models involved in genomic selection. It also includes examples of ongoing activities of genomic selection for crop improvement and efforts initiated to deploy the genomic selection in some important crops. In order to understand the potential of GS breeding, it is high time to bring complete information in the form of a book that can serve as a ready reference for geneticist and plant breeders.

This book presents the latest advances in rice genomics, genetics and breeding, with a special focus on their importance for rice biology and how they are breathing new life into traditional genetics. Rice is the main staple food for more than half of the world’s population. Accordingly, sustainable rice production is a crucial issue, particularly in Asia and Africa, where the population continues to grow at an alarming rate. The book’s respective chapters offer new and timely perspectives on the synergistic effects of genomics and genetics in novel rice breeding approaches, which can help address the urgent issue of providing enough food for a global population that is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050.