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Book Dissection of the Association of Spike Traits and Grain Yield Attributes in Bread Wheat Genotypes and F1 Hybrids Derived from Line X Tester Mating

Download or read book Dissection of the Association of Spike Traits and Grain Yield Attributes in Bread Wheat Genotypes and F1 Hybrids Derived from Line X Tester Mating written by R.K Yadava and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The present investigation was undertaken with the objective to evaluate the nature and magnitude of genetic variability and correlation of different spike traits and other character association with grain yield. Eighteen diverse bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.em Thell.) genotypes and 72 F1 lines were evaluated to estimate the extent of association with respect to spike traits and grain yield. The coefficient for genotypic correlation for most of the character combination was higher in magnitude, as compared to corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficient, indicating largely the strong inherent nature of traits recorded in the present investigation. The yield per plant exhibited positive and strong association with all the traits except with 100 grain weight. From the present investigation, it could be suggested that breeder has to work cautiously for any breeding program aimed at improving particularly the 100 grain weight.

Book Combining Ability Analysis for Spike Traits and Other Yield Attributes in Bread Wheat  Triticum Aestivum L  Em  Thell   with CD Copy

Download or read book Combining Ability Analysis for Spike Traits and Other Yield Attributes in Bread Wheat Triticum Aestivum L Em Thell with CD Copy written by Babita Gollen and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Book Association of Yield Traits in Bread Wheat

Download or read book Association of Yield Traits in Bread Wheat written by Jawad Rashid and published by LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. This book was released on 2013 with total page 96 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In order to explore the breeding potential and variability for the evaluation of new better performing, high yielding varieties with good adaptability, heritability and genetic advance were estimated for the following seven cross of F2 population viz., DN 52 x Fareed 2006, DN52 x Sehar 2006, DN 53 x Chakwal 86, DN 53 x Fareed 2006, DN 57 x Chakwal 86, DN 53 x Sehar 2006, DN 57 x Sehar 2006. Heritability and genetic advance were was determine for the following characters plant height, flag leaf area, number of tillers per plant, spike length, number of spikelet's per spike, spike density, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plant.

Book A Genetic Dissection of Drought and Heat Tolerance Related Traits in Bread Wheat  Triticum Aestivum L

Download or read book A Genetic Dissection of Drought and Heat Tolerance Related Traits in Bread Wheat Triticum Aestivum L written by Dion Bennett and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study was conducted with the aim of improving our understanding of the genetic basis of the superior grain yield of an elite bread wheat breeding line, RAC875, under drought and heat stressed Mediterranean-type climates in southern Australia. Here, these abiotic stresses present a significant barrier to production. Kukri is a locally adapted variety which achieves acceptable grain yield under more favourable conditions, but relatively low grain yields under severe stress. A cross between the two lines resulted in an F1 derived doubled haploid population consisting of 368 individuals. The population was initially used for the genetic dissection of time to ear emergence and flag leaf glaucousness, with the latter trait hypothesised to explain a significant proportion of RAC875's relative drought and heat tolerance. Whilst parents of the population achieved similar time to ear emergence, segregation for Ppd-B1 and Ppd-D1a created large variation for this trait within the population. Two novel minor loci were detected for time to ear emergence (Q.Eet.aww-1A and Q.Zad.aww-4A), in addition to another eight known, minor loci. Five novel loci were detected for flag leaf glaucousness (Q.W.aww-3A, Q.W.aww-3B, Q.W.aww-3D, Q.W.aww-4D and Q.W.aww-5B), with one in particular (Q.W.aww-3A) accounting for up to 52 percent of the genetic variance for this trait. Sixteen field experiments were sown across southern Australia between 2006 and 2010, where average site grain yields ranged from 314 to 5275 kg ha−1. Kernels per square metre was the trait most correlated with grain yield, while spikelet fertility, which had a significant positive correlation with grains per square metre in all experiments and the subsequently derived environment clusters, was also related to grain yield. Nine loci were detected for grain yield independent of time to ear emergence and plant height. Five of these loci co-located with loci for kernels per square metre and only one of these nine loci were associated with any of the loci for flag leaf glaucousness and this genetic effect was opposite (i.e. Kukri allele resulting in large glaucousness value and lower grain yield). The RAC875 allele at QTL on chromosomes 1B and 7A (Q.Yld.aww-1B and Q.Yld.aww-7A-2) was associated with greater grain yield, kernels per spikelet and kernels per square metre. These two loci were detected in environment clusters where heat stress was a differentiating factor and it was concluded that these may therefore be associated with heat stress tolerance. Another QTL of large effect was consistently detected on chromosome 6A (Q.Tkw.aww-6A), with the RAC875 allele positively affecting grain size, flag leaf width and stem water soluble carbohydrate content but resulting in lower kernels per spikelet and therefore kernels per square metre. Experiments were also sown to assess the performance of the population in north-west Mexico under well watered, high yield potential conditions, as well as drip irrigated drought treatment and late planted but well watered conditions to expose the experiments to heat stress. This resulted in three very distinctive treatments and subsequently detected different genetic regions controlling grain yield. Two distinct QTL were detected for grain yield and canopy temperature on chromosome 3B, under irrigated (Q.Yld.aww-3B-1) and irrigated, drought and heat stressed treatments (Q.Yld.aww-3B-2). The latter QTL accounted for up to 22 percent of the genetic variance for grain yield and 20 percent of the genetic variance for canopy temperature under the heat stress treatment. However, all three treatments failed to detect any major QTL of common effect to southern Australia. This study highlighted the complex genetic basis of grain yield and physical grain quality in drought and heat stressed conditions, as well as the importance of conducting QTL dissection in the target environment. However, key loci detected offer potential for marker development and deployment of marker assisted selection within wheat breeding programmes targeting southern Australia. In the longer term, this should help improve the rate of genetic gain for grain yield, increasing production by growers in the Mediterranean type climate of southern Australia.

Book Heat Stress in Wheat

    Book Details:
  • Author : Amir Mohamed Hussein Ibrahim
  • Publisher :
  • Release : 1994
  • ISBN :
  • Pages : 150 pages

Download or read book Heat Stress in Wheat written by Amir Mohamed Hussein Ibrahim and published by . This book was released on 1994 with total page 150 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Heat stress sets an upper limit to maximizing wheat yields in many irrigated, low-altitude, tropical environments. Terminal heat stress also reduces wheat yields in certain Mediterranean environments in West Asia and North Africa. A study was carried out at three different environments in Sudan and Syria to identify potential selection traits and environments for breeding purposes. Seventeen morphological, physiological, and phenological traits were used to evaluate 16 diverse bread wheat genotypes under early, terminal, and continuous heat stress conditions. A plastic house experiment was also conducted to characterize the 16 genotypes for their response to photoperiod and vernalization. Early flowering/maturity, longer peduncles, larger number of kernels/spike, larger harvest index, and larger biomass played an important role under early and terminal heat stress conditions in Northern Syria. Medium flowering/maturity, semi-dwarf stature, denser ground cover, and larger biomass conferred better agronomic performance under continuous heat stress conditions in Wad Medani, Sudan. Unlike grain and biological yields, days to f lag leaf emergence, anthesis, and maturity showed stability across the three environments. Harvest index showed some stability across environments as well. None of the 16 genotypes was sensitive to day length. The late-maturing genotypes were sensitive to vernalization. A large amount of genetic variability was found for all the traits tested in all three environments to guarantee their use in a breeding program for heat stress.

Book Genetic Dissection of Stay green and Other Traits Related to Dry Land Spring Wheat Performance

Download or read book Genetic Dissection of Stay green and Other Traits Related to Dry Land Spring Wheat Performance written by Roshan Kumar Acharya and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 49 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Spring wheat production in the upper Great Plains is at risk due to increased occurrence of low moisture and high temperatures during grain-fill. Wheat yield is impacted by several often counteracting traits, including seed number per head, seed weight and number of productive tillers. A variety of morphological and phenological plant characteristics impact performance in conditions of low moisture and high temperatures during grain-fill. In this study, we dissect traits associated with grain yield using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population derived from parents with contrasting phenotypes for several yield and drought related traits. Importantly, differences in quantitative trait loci (QTL) for yield and yield components were observed in the RIL between rain-fed and irrigated environments. We report important QTLs associated with yield and drought stress in spring wheat, with the long term goal of identifying traits useful to molecular breeding programs for the creation of lines better adapted to our changing environments. We also confirmed six grain-fill QTLs in association mapping (AM) panel which were identified by using this RIL population.

Book Nature of Inheritance  Genotype environment Interaction and Association of Selected Agronomic Characters in Crosses of Winter X Spring Wheats  Triticum Aestivum L  Em Thell

Download or read book Nature of Inheritance Genotype environment Interaction and Association of Selected Agronomic Characters in Crosses of Winter X Spring Wheats Triticum Aestivum L Em Thell written by P. Brajcich and published by . This book was released on 1980 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This investigation was motivated by the apparent increase in genetic variability resulting from the systematic combining of gene pools represented by winter and spring types of wheats. It was the objective of this study to provide information regarding the nature of this genetic variability for nine agronomic characters in populations resulting from winter x spring crosses. Evaluations were made for: 1) the amount of total genetic variability; 2) the nature of the gene action making up this genetic variability using parent-progeny regression and combining ability analysis and 3) possible direct and indirect associations for traits which influence grain yield. Experimental populations which involved parents, Fl, F2 and backcross generations were grown at two locations where a spring and a winter environment could be utilized. At the winter site, the research was evaluated over a two year period. When the two experimental sites were compared, greater genetic diversity was observed at the spring site for maturity date, plant height, tillers per plant, kernel weight and grain yield. At the winter site, heading date, grain filling period, harvest index and kernels per spike were found to have more total genetic variation. From the expected mean square values, it would appear that the winter parents contributed more to the total genetic variation for most traits measured at both locations. A large genotype-location interaction was also noted suggesting that estimates of gene action and selection for adapted plant types can be done only at the specific winter or spring site. A large portion of the total genetic variation controlling the traits measured was due to additive gene action. However, at the winter site there was also a large influence of non-additive gene action associated with heading date, plant height, harvest index, tillers per plant, kernel weight, kernels per spike and grain yield. Of special interest was that at the winter site the most promising parental combinations could be predicted based on the general combining ability effects of the individual cultivars for each trait studied. Such data were not available for the spring site. Consistent and high correlations were observed between tillers per plant, kernels per spike and, to a lesser extent, kernel weight and grain yield at the winter location. Some negative associations were observed at the spring location between these traits and grain yield suggesting that yield component compensations were involved in the final expression of grain yield. The other characters measured did not reflect significant correlations with yield. When the correlation values were considered in terms of direct and indirect effects for specific traits, a large direct effect was noted for the three components and grain yield. The other traits exhibited small or no direct effects on grain yield but did have a slight influence on grain yield through tillers per plant, kernels per spike or kernel weight.

Book Advances in Wheat Genetics  From Genome to Field

Download or read book Advances in Wheat Genetics From Genome to Field written by Yasunari Ogihara and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-09-15 with total page 421 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This proceedings is a collection of 46 selected papers that were presented at the 12th International Wheat Genetics Symposium (IWGS). Since the launch of the wheat genome sequencing project in 2005, the arrival of draft genome sequences has marked a new era in wheat genetics and genomics, catalyzing rapid advancement in the field. This book provides a comprehensive review of the forefront of wheat research, across various important topics such as germplasm and genetic diversity, cytogenetics and allopolyploid evolution, genome sequencing, structural and functional genomics, gene function and molecular biology, biotic stress, abiotic stress, grain quality, and classical and molecular breeding. Following an introduction, 9 parts of the book are dedicated to each of these topics. A final, 11th part entitled “Toward Sustainable Wheat Production” contains 7 excellent papers that were presented in the 12th IWGS Special Session supported by the OECD. With rapid population growth and radical climate changes, the world faces a global food crisis and is in need of another Green Revolution to boost yields of wheat and other widely grown staple crops. Although this book focuses on wheat, many of the newly developed techniques and results presented here can be applied to other plant species with large and complex genomes. As such, this volume is highly recommended for all students and researchers in wheat sciences and related plant sciences and for those who are interested in stable food production and food security.

Book An Introduction to Genetic Statistics

Download or read book An Introduction to Genetic Statistics written by Oscar Kempthorne and published by . This book was released on 1969 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Book Plant Breeding in the Omics Era

Download or read book Plant Breeding in the Omics Era written by Rodomiro Ortiz Ríos and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-09-16 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ​The field of plant breeding has grown rapidly in the last decade with breakthrough research in genetics and genomics, inbred development, population improvement, hybrids, clones, self-pollinated crops, polyploidy, transgenic breeding and more. This book discusses the latest developments in all these areas but explores the next generation of needs and discoveries including omics beyond genomics, cultivar seeds and intellectual and property rights. This book is a leading-edge publication of the latest results and forecasts important areas of future needs and applications.​

Book Quantitative Genetics in Maize Breeding

Download or read book Quantitative Genetics in Maize Breeding written by Arnel R. Hallauer and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2010-09-28 with total page 669 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Maize is used in an endless list of products that are directly or indirectly related to human nutrition and food security. Maize is grown in producer farms, farmers depend on genetically improved cultivars, and maize breeders develop improved maize cultivars for farmers. Nikolai I. Vavilov defined plant breeding as plant evolution directed by man. Among crops, maize is one of the most successful examples for breeder-directed evolution. Maize is a cross-pollinated species with unique and separate male and female organs allowing techniques from both self and cross-pollinated crops to be utilized. As a consequence, a diverse set of breeding methods can be utilized for the development of various maize cultivar types for all economic conditions (e.g., improved populations, inbred lines, and their hybrids for different types of markets). Maize breeding is the science of maize cultivar development. Public investment in maize breeding from 1865 to 1996 was $3 billion (Crosbie et al., 2004) and the return on investment was $260 billion as a consequence of applied maize breeding, even without full understanding of the genetic basis of heterosis. The principles of quantitative genetics have been successfully applied by maize breeders worldwide to adapt and improve germplasm sources of cultivars for very simple traits (e.g. maize flowering) and very complex ones (e.g., grain yield). For instance, genomic efforts have isolated early-maturing genes and QTL for potential MAS but very simple and low cost phenotypic efforts have caused significant and fast genetic progress across genotypes moving elite tropical and late temperate maize northward with minimal investment. Quantitative genetics has allowed the integration of pre-breeding with cultivar development by characterizing populations genetically, adapting them to places never thought of (e.g., tropical to short-seasons), improving them by all sorts of intra- and inter-population recurrent selection methods, extracting lines with more probability of success, and exploiting inbreeding and heterosis. Quantitative genetics in maize breeding has improved the odds of developing outstanding maize cultivars from genetically broad based improved populations such as B73. The inbred-hybrid concept in maize was a public sector invention 100 years ago and it is still considered one of the greatest achievements in plant breeding. Maize hybrids grown by farmers today are still produced following this methodology and there is still no limit to genetic improvement when most genes are targeted in the breeding process. Heterotic effects are unique for each hybrid and exotic genetic materials (e.g., tropical, early maturing) carry useful alleles for complex traits not present in the B73 genome just sequenced while increasing the genetic diversity of U.S. hybrids. Breeding programs based on classical quantitative genetics and selection methods will be the basis for proving theoretical approaches on breeding plans based on molecular markers. Mating designs still offer large sample sizes when compared to QTL approaches and there is still a need to successful integration of these methods. There is a need to increase the genetic diversity of maize hybrids available in the market (e.g., there is a need to increase the number of early maturing testers in the northern U.S.). Public programs can still develop new and genetically diverse products not available in industry. However, public U.S. maize breeding programs have either been discontinued or are eroding because of decreasing state and federal funding toward basic science. Future significant genetic gains in maize are dependent on the incorporation of useful and unique genetic diversity not available in industry (e.g., NDSU EarlyGEM lines). The integration of pre-breeding methods with cultivar development should enhance future breeding efforts to maintain active public breeding programs not only adapting and improving genetically broad-based germplasm but also developing unique products and training the next generation of maize breeders producing research dissertations directly linked to breeding programs. This is especially important in areas where commercial hybrids are not locally bred. More than ever public and private institutions are encouraged to cooperate in order to share breeding rights, research goals, winter nurseries, managed stress environments, and latest technology for the benefit of producing the best possible hybrids for farmers with the least cost. We have the opportunity to link both classical and modern technology for the benefit of breeding in close cooperation with industry without the need for investing in academic labs and time (e.g., industry labs take a week vs months/years in academic labs for the same work). This volume, as part of the Handbook of Plant Breeding series, aims to increase awareness of the relative value and impact of maize breeding for food, feed, and fuel security. Without breeding programs continuously developing improved germplasm, no technology can develop improved cultivars. Quantitative Genetics in Maize Breeding presents principles and data that can be applied to maximize genetic improvement of germplasm and develop superior genotypes in different crops. The topics included should be of interest of graduate students and breeders conducting research not only on breeding and selection methods but also developing pure lines and hybrid cultivars in crop species. This volume is a unique and permanent contribution to breeders, geneticists, students, policy makers, and land-grant institutions still promoting quality research in applied plant breeding as opposed to promoting grant monies and indirect costs at any short-term cost. The book is dedicated to those who envision the development of the next generation of cultivars with less need of water and inputs, with better nutrition; and with higher percentages of exotic germplasm as well as those that pursue independent research goals before searching for funding. Scientists are encouraged to use all possible breeding methodologies available (e.g., transgenics, classical breeding, MAS, and all possible combinations could be used with specific sound long and short-term goals on mind) once germplasm is chosen making wise decisions with proven and scientifically sound technologies for assisting current breeding efforts depending on the particular trait under selection. Arnel R. Hallauer is C. F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture (Emeritus) at Iowa State University (ISU). Dr. Hallauer has led maize-breeding research for mid-season maturity at ISU since 1958. His work has had a worldwide impact on plant-breeding programs, industry, and students and was named a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Hallauer is a native of Kansas, USA. José B. Miranda Filho is full-professor in the Department of Genetics, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz - University of São Paulo located at Piracicaba, Brazil. His research interests have emphasized development of quantitative genetic theory and its application to maize breeding. Miranda Filho is native of Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil. M.J. Carena is professor of plant sciences at North Dakota State University (NDSU). Dr. Carena has led maize-breeding research for short-season maturity at NDSU since 1999. This program is currently one the of the few public U.S. programs left integrating pre-breeding with cultivar development and training in applied maize breeding. He teaches Quantitative Genetics and Crop Breeding Techniques at NDSU. Carena is a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina. http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/plantsci/faculty/Carena.htm

Book Plant Breeding

    Book Details:
  • Author : H.K. Jain
  • Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
  • Release : 2012-12-06
  • ISBN : 9400710402
  • Pages : 813 pages

Download or read book Plant Breeding written by H.K. Jain and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 813 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding was established in 1941 in recognition of the growing contribution of improved crop varieties to the country's agriculture. Scientific plant breeding had started inIndia soon after the rediscovery of Mendel's laws of heredity. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute set up in 1905 and a number of Agricultural Colleges in different parts of the country carried out some of the earliest work mostly inthe form of pure-line selections. In subsequent years, hybridization programmes in crops like wheat, rice, oilseeds, grain legumes, sugarcane and cotton yielded a large number of improved cultivars with significantly higher yields. A turning point came in the 1960s with the development of hybrids in several crops including inter-specific hybrids in cotton. And when new germplasm with dwarfing genes became available in wheat and rice from CIMMYT and IRRI, respectively,Indian plant breeders quickly incorporated these genes into the genetic background of the country's widely grown varieties with excellent grain quality and other desirable traits. This was to mark the beginning of modem agriculture in India as more and more varieties were developed, characterized by a high harvest index and response to modem farm inputs like the inorganic fertilizers . India's green revolution which has led to major surpluses offood grains and othercommodities like sugar and cotton has been made possible by the work of one of the largest groups of plant breeders working in a coordinated network.

Book Wheat Production in Stressed Environments

Download or read book Wheat Production in Stressed Environments written by H.T. Buck and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2007-05-16 with total page 764 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Providing a unique overview to wheat and related species, this book comprises the proceedings of the 7th International Wheat Conference, held in Mar del Plata, Argentina, at the end of 2005. Leading scientists from all over the world, specialized in different areas that contribute to the better understanding of wheat production and use, review the present achievements and discuss the future challenges for the wheat crop.

Book Plant Mutation Breeding and Biotechnology

Download or read book Plant Mutation Breeding and Biotechnology written by Q. Y. Shu and published by CABI. This book was released on 2012 with total page 612 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: This book presents contemporary information on mutagenesis in plants and its applications in plant breeding and research. The topics are classified into sections focusing on the concepts, historical development and genetic basis of plant mutation breeding (chapters 1-6); mutagens and induced mutagenesis (chapters 7-13); mutation induction and mutant development (chapters 14-23); mutation breeding (chapters 24-34); or mutations in functional genomics (chapters 35-41). This book is an essential reference for those who are conducting research on mutagenesis as an approach to improving or modifying a trait, or achieving basic understanding of a pathway for a trait --.

Book Rust Diseases of Wheat

Download or read book Rust Diseases of Wheat written by Alan P. Roelfs and published by CIMMYT. This book was released on 1992 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Book Stress Responses in Plants

Download or read book Stress Responses in Plants written by Bhumi Nath Tripathi and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-05-27 with total page 293 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This collection discusses the variety of specific molecular reactions by means of which plants respond to physiological and toxic stress conditions. It focuses on the characterization of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the induction of toxicity and the triggered responses and resistances. The nine chapters, all written by prominent researchers, examine heavy metal toxicity, aluminum toxicity, arsenic toxicity, salt toxicity, drought stress, light stress, temperature stress, flood stress and UV-B stress. In addition, information on the fundamentals of stress responses and resistance mechanisms is provided. The book addresses researchers and students working in the fields of plant physiology and biochemistry.​

Book Vitamins and Minerals Biofortification of Edible Plants

Download or read book Vitamins and Minerals Biofortification of Edible Plants written by Noureddine Benkeblia and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2020-05-26 with total page 255 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Detailed Reference on How Modern Biotechnology is using the Biofortification of Crops to Improve the Vitamin and Mineral Content of Edible Plants In this reference, Vitamins and Minerals Bio-Fortification of Edible Plants, authors cover new territory on phytonutrients, focusing on the enhancement and modification of edible crops. This book presents techniques and research findings from modern biotechnology to educate readers on the newest tools and research in the field. Readers will learn how groundbreaking scientific advances have contributed to the nutritional content of edible plants and crops for animals and humans. Inside, readers will find comprehensive information on new concepts of biofortification, including but not limited to: ● Modern biotechnology and its uses for improving the vitamin and mineral content of edible plants ● Potential minerals and vitamins that can be targeted and implemented in agriculture ● Ways of enhancing the nutritional contents of edible plants to address nutritional deficiencies and improve livestock ● Methods of identifying plants that can be used to heal or prevent disease and illness While many books cover the phytonutrients of crops, this reference book reports on methodologies, techniques, and environmental changes used to enhance and improve agricultural products. It is one of the first to provide information on using modern biotechnologies to modify crops with the goal of creating health benefits.