Mark Chase There are many literature resources available to molecular biologists wishing to assess genetic variation, but the myriad of techniques and approaches potentially available to the plant breeder and the evolutionary biologist is truly bewildering, and most have never been evaluated side-by-side on the same sets of samples. Additionally, it is often not recognized that tools that are useful for breeders can often be adapted for use in evolutionary studies and vice versa, but this is generally the case. The borderline between population genetics and phylogenetics is vague and difficult to assess, and a combination of both types of tools is best when it is not clear with which area one is dealing. Furthermore, it is not now appropriate to use just one type of marker in any kind of study; most markers have the potential to misinform under certain conditions, so it is always wise to incorporate at least two different types of assessments into any project. This volume is designed to facilitate this sort of multiple approach and provides comparative data on most currently available methods so that researchers can more intelligently select those appropriate to their area of interest, regardless of whether it is in the realm of breeding or evolutionary biology.

Proceedings of a workshop on the use of molecular techniques in the conservation of plant genetic resources.

Molecular Systematics and Plant Evolution discusses the diversity and evolution of plants with a molecular approach. It looks at population genetics, phylogeny (history of evolution) and developmental genetics, to provide a framework from which to understand evolutionary patterns and relationships amongst plants. The international panel of contributors are all respected systematists and evolutionary biologists, who have brought together a wide range of topics from the forefront of research while keeping the text accessible to students. It has been written for senior undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers in the fields of botany, systematics, population / conservation genetics, phylogenetics and evolutionary biology.

Changing environmental conditions substantially affect genetic variation and its dynamics in forest ecosystems and various systems of plantations. In response to these challenges, the present book focuses on the response to stress in terms of case studies which address physiological and genetic characters as well as various metric traits. Furthermore a choice of studies is presented which refers to diversity and geographic variation of various species and site conditions, respectively. In addition, genetic resources are characterised and a variety of studies is compiled which address reproduction and migration as well as management aspects. Finally, a set of studies is presented which focus on forest tree breeding with respect to uncertain climatic futures.

This two-volume book gives a broad coverage of various aspects of plant molecular biology relevant to the improvement of woody plants. The authors provide background information on genetic engineering and molecular marker techniques, and specific examples of species in which sufficient progress has been made.

Plant breeding during its evolution has been utilizing biodiversity for producing better crops. Nowadays everyone is concerned about saving the biodiversity. Intensive agricultural practices, climate change and Industrialization are having a straight impact on biodiversity. Use of single new improved varieties of crops for large areas is a big threat for crop biodiversity. Modern breeding approaches are also suggesting going back towards the land races and farmer’s varieties for gene hunting for resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. This book includes the description about biodiversity and crop improvement. It also addresses the utilization of plant genetic resources and crop wild relatives for crop improvement through application of traditional plant breeding techniques as well as molecular and genomic approaches. Through this multi authored book an effort has been made to assimilate the most topical results about biodiversity and crop improvement with contemporary plant breeding approaches. Eleven chapters written by leading scientists involved in crop Improvement research worldwide provide sufficient coverage of the major factors impacting utilization of biodiversity for crop improvement.

In this book we bring together the most up-to-date information on developments, both basic and applied, that already have or are expected to impact the field of ornamental breeding. These include classical and molecular techniques, traditional and high-throughput approaches and future trends. Since not only professional scientists, but also thousands of future scientists/students as well as amateur breeders around the world contribute heavily to the field of ornamental breeding, an introductory section dealing with the basics of molecular and classical genetics and the evolution of floral diversity is included. This should enable the reader to bridge the gap between traditional and molecular genetics. Classical approaches to the creation/selection of genetic variability, including mutation and tissue culture-aided breeding, are presented. Processes affecting ornamental and agronomic traits at the molecular level are delineated, along with an in-depth analysis of developments in the protection of intellectual property rights. The thoughts and strategies of molecular and classical geneticists, which are not always complementary or even compatible, are presented side by side in this book, and will serve to spark the imaginations of breeders as well as students entering the exciting world of state-of-the-art ornamentals.