George Acquaah - Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding

Third Edition

George Acquaah

Bowie State University, Room 315 C, Computer Science Building, Bowie, MD, US,

This third edition first published 2021

© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Second edition 9780470664766 published 2012; first edition, 9781405136464, published 2006

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Library of Congress Cataloging‐in‐Publication Data

Names: Acquaah, George, author. Title: Principles of plant genetics and breeding / George Acquaah. Description: Third edition. | Hoboken, New York : Wiley, 2020. | Includes index. Identifiers: LCCN 2020005450 (print) | LCCN 2020005451 (ebook) | ISBN 9781119626329 (paperback) | ISBN 9781119626343 (adobe pdf) | ISBN 9781119626695 (epub) Subjects: LCSH: Plant breeding. | Plant genetics. Classification: LCC SB123 .A295 2020 (print) | LCC SB123 (ebook) | DDC 631.5/3–dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020005450LCebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020005451

Cover Design: Wiley

Cover Image: Plants background with biochemistry structure © Marchu Studio/Shutterstock, Fresh tomatoes © Petr Jilek/Shutterstock

To my wife, Theresa, with love and appreciation for uncommon character.

The third edition of Plant Genetics and Breeding represents a thoroughly overhauled version of its preceding edition, following recommendations and suggestions from users and reviewers. The major changes in the new edition include updated molecular genetics and breeding sections, and the addition of new box reading contributors. The book is copiously illustrated, as previously, to facilitate teaching and learning of the topics.

The book is organized into 14 sections. Section Iis an overview and historical perspectives of plant breeding. Chapter 1in this section provides an introduction to the field of plant breeding, describing its importance to society, while Chapter 2provides historical perspectives, highlighting the contributions by researchers to knowledge in the field. The two chapters in Section IIare devoted to discussing pertinent population and quantitative genetic concepts, to assist the reader in better understanding the practices of plant breeders.

Section III, reproductive systems, is organized into three chapters. Chapter 5focuses on reproductive and genetic issues as they pertain to self‐pollinated and cross‐pollinated species. Chapter 6is devoted to discussing the genetic issues associated with crossing plants to reorganize the genetic matrix, while Chapter 7ends the section with a discussion of issues associated with clonal propagation. Section IVdeals with germplasm for breeding. It is impossible to conduct plant breeding without the proper germplasm. Chapter 8in this section focuses on variation and its genetic basis, while Chapter 9focuses on domestication of plant species. The discussion includes the dependence of plant breeding on heritable variation. Finally, Chapter 10speaks to the matter of plant genetic resources used in plant breeding. It includes a discussion of how germplasm is collected and managed for long term use by breeders.

Section Vis devoted to discussing common breeding objectives pursued by plant breeders. The discussions include the genetic basis of those traits and the implication in their breeding. Chapter 11focuses on breeding for increased yield and improving morphological traits that enhance crop productivity. In the ensuing Chapter 12, breeding for selected quality traits is the focus of discussion. A new Chapter 13focuses on the role of the environment in breeding, with a discussion of climate change and its impact on breeding. Breeding for disease and pest resistance is a major breeding objective in most crops. This is the subject of Chapter 14, while Chapter 15is devoted to issues pertaining to breeding for resistance or tolerance to selected abiotic factors such as salt tolerance.

The topics of Section VIfocus on selection or breeding methods. In this section, breeding methods for autogamous species are the subject of Chapter 16, while Chapter 17is devoted to breeding allogamous species. Chapter 18concerns the selection methods used for breeding hybrid cultivars, while Chapter 19is devoted to discussing the breeding methods used for clonally propagated species. The discussions in these chapters provide the advantages and disadvantages of each method, and include alternative approaches.

Molecular breeding is the subject of Section VII, which received significant overhaul. It focuses on technologies that are used to link genes to traits. The concept of markers and various commonly used molecular markers in plant breeding are discussed in detail in Chapter 20, including their advantages and disadvantages, as well the cost and ease of application in breeding. Chapter 21is devoted to discussing the mapping of genes and the importance of such maps in plant breeding. Chapter 22is new, and focuses on gene sequencing and the OMICs technologies. Section VIIIdiscusses marker‐assisted selection (MAS) as a method of facilitating plant breeding. Chapter 23focuses on marker‐assisted selection, while a new Chapter, 24, is devoted to genomic selection and related concepts. Section IXfocuses on mutations and ploidy in plant breeding. Chapter 25focuses on the use of mutagenesis for inducing variability for crop improvement. The discussions include the types of mutagens commonly used in crop improvement, and success of this approach to breeding. Many important crop species are polyploids. The methods used for improving polyploids are discussed in Chapter 26. Section Xcombines an old Chapter, 27, introducing the concept of genetic engineering, and a new one, Chapter 28, dealing with genome editing technologies, while Chapter 29discusses additional new plant breeding technologies. Section XIis new, and deals with computer‐aided applications in breeding, including bioinformatics and contemporary topics like big data in plant breeding in Chapter 30.