Plant Breeding and Genetics

This book provides detailed account of plant genetics, breeding methods for self and cross pollinated crops, biometrical and biotechnological tools used in plant breeding. It explains the cell division, partitioning of genetic variance, selfing, hybridization, inbreeding depression, heterosis, mating system, heritability, selection and response to selection. The text discusses plant tissue culture, molecular markers and genetic engineering. It elaborates the experimental designs, stability analysis, chi-square test, genetic diversity and path analysis. It covers the intellectual property rights and some aspects of seed technology. The short description on participatory variety selection, participatory plant breeding and community seed production are included in this book. The text discusses special breeding techniques such as mutational breeding, polyploidy, wide hybridization, clonal breeding, ideotype breeding, breeding for quality improvement, apomixes, male sterility and self incompatibility. This book is prepared specially for plant breeders and students of plant breeding in mind.