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. Jose B.
Miranda Filho is full-professor in the Department of Genetics,
Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz - University of Sao
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, Sao 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
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
