Wild relatives of cultivated plants in India : a reservoir of alternative genetic resources and more

Description

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the wild relatives of crops and cultivated species found in India, covering their distribution, phylogenetic relationships with cultivated species, traits that are of economic and breeding value, and the perceived threats. It highlights the opportunities the wild relatives of cultivated species offer in terms of new genes and allelic variability, as well as several other exploitable economic and environmental benefits that can be harnessed with their conservation and cultivation. This helps facilitate their use – both directly and as part of the breeding program for related cultivated species, filling the gaps of genetic variability in the primary gene pool. It also discusses how they can be used in breeding programs using conventional technologies and the biotechnological approaches of recombinant DNA. Transfer of natural genes using recombinant DNA, known as “Cisgenesis,” can accelerate the process of incorporating these natural genes without genetic drag of undesirable features and biosafety concerns, and beyond taxonomic boundaries, in response to the demand for new cultivars to meet the challenges of climate change and ever-growing human population. Read more... Abstract: This book provides a comprehensive overview of the wild relatives of crops and cultivated species found in India, covering their distribution, phylogenetic relationships with cultivated species, traits that are of economic and breeding value, and the perceived threats. Read more... Front Matter ....Pages i-xiii Introduction (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 1-9 Front Matter ....Pages 11-11 Defining a Wild Relative (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 13-18 Importance of Wild Relatives as Genetic Resource and Otherwise (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 19-38 Front Matter ....Pages 39-39 Cereals (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 41-52 Grain Legumes (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 53-61 Oilseeds (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 63-68 Fiber Crops (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 69-76 Forage Crops (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 77-84 Vegetables (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 85-108 Fruits and Nuts (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 109-135 Spices and Condiments (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 137-154 Commercial Crops (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 155-163 Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 165-176 Floriculture Crops (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 177-195 Agroforestry (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 197-205 Cottage Industry Crops and Others (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 207-215 Front Matter ....Pages 217-217 Classification of Wild Species to Facilitate Conservation and Gene Transfer (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 219-231 Collection Strategies (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 233-248 Conservation Strategies (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 249-259 Breeding Strategies for Use of Wild Relatives (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 261-272 Future Perspectives (Anurudh Kumar Singh)....Pages 273-281 Back Matter ....Pages 283-310