Crop Evolution and Genetic Resources

Crop Evolution and Genetic Resources discusses the theories of evolution and speciation, adaptation, domestication, centres of diversity and the concept of gene pool along with centers of origins of different crops and their gene centers for resistance to diseases. Various forces (determisnistic and stochastic) in evolution are described with the help of gene and genotypic frequencies followed by the estimation of genetic distance, and methods of constructing phylogenetic trees. Methods of selection of sites and of sampling of plants for collection of germplasm as also the methods of conservation of germplasm - in situ and ex-situ are discussed. Further, genetic resources of various agricultural and horticultural crops are presented in terms of gene pools (GP1, GP2, and GP3) along with its distribution and the unique trait(s) they have on crop by crop basis. In case of horticultural crops, breeding methods for their improvement are also described in detail.This book will be useful for undergraduate and post-graduate students of departments of genetics and plant breeding, horticultural (fruits and vegetables), floriculture, teachers and researchers working in food crops, fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops.