Need for new genes and genetic diversity. Soucers of new gene-pools. Genetics variousness within populations. Gentic conservation versus evaluation and utilization. Procedure in genetic conservation and utilization references. Objectives and requirements of systematic description. Planting and multiplication of ssed stocks. Maintaining the genetic composition of accessions. Plant and grain charactesistics for description. Method of recording plant characters and growth stages. Elimination of duplicate accessions. Culture and identification of genetic testers and wild species references. Objectives and types of systematic evaluation. Size of populations for screening. Methods of systematic evaluation. Field versus laboratory testing. Methodology of evaluation. Distribution of selected material for utilization. Genetic aspects of utilization. Data recording, processing, and retrieval. Long-range conservation. Long-term seed storage. International collaboration in genetic conservation.

While preparing the first edition of this textbook I attended an extension short course on writing agricultural publications. The message I remember was "select your audience and write to it. " There has never been any doubt about the audience for which this textbook was written, the introductory course in crop breeding. In addition, it has become a widely used reference for the graduate plant-breeding student and the practicing plant breeder. In its prepa ration, particular attention has been given to advances in plant-breeding theo ry and their utility in plant-breeding practice. The blend of the theoretical with the practical has set this book apart from other plant-breeding textbooks. The basic structure and the objectives of the earlier editions remain un changed. These objectives are (1) to review essential features of plant re production, Mendelian genetic principles, and related genetic developments applicable in plant-breeding practice; (2) to describe and evaluate established and new plant-breeding procedures and techniques, and (3) to discuss plant breeding objectives with emphasis on the importance of proper choice of objec tive for achieving success in variety development. Because plant-breeding activities are normally organized around specific crops, there are chapters describing breeding procedures and objectives for the major crop plants; the crops were chosen for their economic importance or diversity in breeding sys tems. These chapters provide a broad overview of the kinds of problems with which the breeder must cope.

Perspectives; The genepools of rice: collecting activities 1983-1990; The network approach; Wild species and land races; Documentation and data management; Preservation of germplasm; germplasm research and utilizatin; Recommendations of working groups.