Main description:

Development of superior crops that have consistent performance in quality and in quantity has not received the same emphasis in the field of genetics and breeding as merited. Specialty trait requires special focus to propagate. Yet basic germplasm and breeding methodologies optimized to improve crops are often applied in the development of improved specialty types. However, because of the standards required for specialty traits, methods of development and improvement are usually more complex than those for common commodity crops. The same standards of performance are desired, but the genetics of the specialty traits often impose breeding criteria distinct from those of non-specialty possessing crops. Specifically, quality improvement programs have unique characteristics that require careful handling and monitoring during their development for specific needs. Adding value either via alternative products from the large volumes of grain produced or development of specialty types is of interest to producers and processors. This work assimilates the most topical results about quality improvement with contemporary plant breeding approaches.The objective of this book is to provide a summary of the germplasm, methods of development, and specific problems involved for quality breeding. In total, fourteen chapters, written by leading scientists involved in crop improvement research, provide comprehensive coverage of the major factors impacting specialty crop improvement.

Contents:

1

Biofortification of Staple Food crops: An overview

Dr Asif B. Shikari, Senior Rice Breeder SKUAST-Kashmir

2

Marker assisted Breeding for improving the cooking and eating quality of rice

Dr Maxwell Darko Asante

Rice Breeder, CSIR-Crops Research Institute Ghana, Africa

3

Genomic approaches for Biofortification of wheat grain with iron and zinc

Dr Velu Govindan ,

Senior Scientist, Wheat Breeder
Global Wheat Program
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Mexico

4

Marker assisted breeding for Beta carotene rich Maize Hybrids

Dr HS Gupta (Professor) Maize Breeder
Formerly Director General, BISA &
Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, India

5

Combating malnutrition through biofortifica

tion of Beans: A genomic perspective

Dr Antonio M. De Ron (Professor), Lugo, Spain &

Dr Dr Francesca Sparvoli CNR, Milan, Italy

6

Dr.Akshay Talukdar,

Principal Scientist, Division of Genetics

Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi, India

7

Novel breeding approaches for development of nutritionally improved rapeseed Mustard

Dr.S.K.Gupta, (Professor),

Brassicas Breeder,

Genetics, Plant Breeding & Biotechnology SKUAST-Jammu, India

8

Current breeding approaches for increased beta-glucan concentration in Oats

Dr.Gulzaffar (Professor)

Genetics, Plant Breeding & Biotechnology

(Fodder Breeder) SKUAST-

K, India

9

Breeding dry beans with improved cooking and canning quality traits

Dr Karen Cichy, Dry Bean Geneticist,

USDA ARS, USA Dr Asif M. Iqbal Qureshi, Bean Breeder, SKUAST-Kashmir, India

10

Conventional and molecular approaches for improving grain quality traits in pearlmillet

Dr. O.P. Yadav Pearl Millet Breeder
Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, ICAR, India

11

Current breeding Approaches for developing rice with improved grain and nutrition quality

Dr NR Sofi . Senior Scientist,

Rice Breeder SKUAST-Kashmir, India

12

Marker Assisted introgression for development of high tryptophan maize

Dr Rajesh Singh (Professor) Maize Breeder

BHU, India

13

Improvin

g the nutritional value of potatoes by conventional breeding and genetic modification.

Dr John E. Bradshaw (Professor)

Plant Breeder and Geneticist,(Potato)

Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, UK

14

Genetic improvement for end use quality in wheat

Nuno Pinheiro, National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research, Estrada, Portugal