Basics of Plant Breeding

Basics of Plant Breeding is a textbook on bachelor level for beginners in plant breeding. Part I starts with essentials in genetics, genetic variation, selection theory, resistance breeding, biotechnology including cell and tissue culture, DNA marker technologies, and gene technology. Short chapters also describe selection in relation to climate change and organic agriculture. In Part II, the book describes how reproduction affects the choice of variety type and outlines the breeding methods of the five variety types with each of one comprehensive example for self-pollinated (line variety), cross-pollinated (population, synthetic, hybrid variety), and asexually propagated (clone variety) crops. The book is written in a highly systematic and concise manner with many color graphics and photos. New methods including speed breeding, DH technologies, genomic selection, genome editing are in the focus. Each chapter ends with a summary and several exam questions.