Plant Genetics: Principles, Techniques and Applications

The in-depth study of the genes, heredity and genetic variation in plants falls under the domain of plant genetics. Modern agriculture has undergone rapid development due to advancements in genetic modification and improved crop breeding. The breeding and selection of plants is dependent on its genetic composition. Plant breeding can be accomplished with a range of different techniques, from simply selecting plants with the right combination of desirable traits to methods employing complex molecular techniques. Genes are the determiners of qualitative and quantitative traits in plants. An understanding of the mode of reproduction is vital for enabling artificial manipulation and breeding of improved plant varieties. Certain methods of fertilization commonly employed by crop breeders are self-fertilization, asexual propagation, apomixis or self-cloning, and cross-pollination. This book contains some path-breaking studies in plant genetics. It is compiled in such a manner, that it will provide in-depth knowledge about the theory and practice of using plant genetics for advancements in agriculture. It will help the readers in keeping pace with the rapid changes in this field.