Cytogenetics of the Festuca-Lolium Complex: Relevance to Breeding

Presented here are modern and classical aspects of cytogenetics as well as biotechnology in relation to improvement of the Festuca-Lolium group of grasses. Festuca and its close relative Lolium are very valuable genera of temperate agriculture. These genera contain highly productive, nutritious and well-adapted grasses widely used for agricultural and recreational purposes worldwide. The book is organized into 15 chapters devoted to taxonomy and systematics; species evolution and divergence by increase in chromosome number as well as by change in DNA content; genetic control of chromosome pairing and its breeding and phylogenetic implications; B chromosomes, induced polyploidy and haploidy in relation to varietal improvement; wide hybridization, genome relationships, and plant improvement; genomic balance in relation to hybrid fertility and heterosis breeding; biotechnology and its potential applications in plant improvement.