The fast-growing sugarcane plant is a major source of sugar (sucrose) in tropical and sub-tropical regions. The high productivity of the plant also makes it a key target for use as an energy crop. The fiber of the plant is used to generate electricity and produce ethanol as a fuel. Sugarcane is a hybrid of two species, each of which is genetically complex. The high level of genetic complexity in sugarcane creates challenges in the application of both conventional and molecular breeding to the genetic improvement of sugarcane as a sugar and energy crop. This book describes technologies that support the continued use and improvement of sugarcane as source of food and energy. Recent technology developments indicate the potential to greatly increase our understanding of the sugarcane plant by application of emerging genomic technologies. This should result in an increased rate of improvement of sugarcane for human uses.

A practical guide that covers both in situ and ex situ techniques for plant diversity conservation The conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources is of increasing importance globally. Plant Conservation Genetics addresses this issue by providing an extensive overview of this emerging area of science, exploring various practical strategies and the latest technology for conservation of plant biodiversity. Leading specialists and experts discuss topics ranging from the science's foundations through every aspect of plant conservation genetics. This informative text includes several ex situ (outside of natural habitat) and in situ (inside of natural habitat) techniques for plant conservation useful for researchers, educators, and students. Plant Conservation Genetics first reviews the importance, opportunities, and numerous advantages of this type of conservation, then explores various effective ex situ (for specific species) and in situ (for certain species on up to full ecosystems and habitats) techniques for conservation. Essential detailed information is presented on collection strategies, botanic gardens, DNA banks, biodiversity management, and genetic resources in seedbanks. Each specialist reveals his or her personal experience of working in the field, allowing direct experience to illustrate and provide expert perspective on the key issues of plant conservation. The book is carefully referenced and includes tables and figures to enhance clarity of data. Plant Conservation Genetics topics include: strategies for plant conservation opportunities for application of plant conservation genetics botanic garden conservation DNA extraction and storage field genebanks in vitro techniques cryopreservation germplasm collection and management collecting missions genetic and biological property rights and benefit-sharing database and sample management for genebank collections monitoring and maintaining ecosystems in in situ conservation habitat fragmentation molecular analysis of plant genetic resources molecular marker analysis nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast genome analysis genomics in the management of plant biodiversity Plant Conservation Genetics is a comprehensive desktop resource perfect for botanists, plant scientists, agricultural scientists, environmentalists, gardeners, and educators and students.

This book focuses on the latest genome sequencing of the 25 wild Oryza species, public and private genomic resources, and their impact on genetic improvement research. It also addresses the untapped reservoir of agronomically important traits in wild Oryza species. Rice is a model crop plant that is frequently used to address several basic questions in plant biology, yet its wild relatives offer an untapped source of agronomically important alleles that are absent in the rice gene pool. The genus Oryza is extremely diverse, as indicated by a wide range of chromosome numbers, different ploidy levels and genome sizes. After a 13-year gap from the first sequencing of rice in the 2002, the genomes of 11 wild Oryza species have now been sequenced and more will follow. These vast genomic resources are extremely useful for addressing several basic questions on the origin of the genus, evolutionary relationships between the species, domestication, and environmental adaptation, and also help to substantiate molecular breeding and pre-breeding work to introgress useful characters horizontally from wild species into cultivated rice.

This book focuses on the latest genome sequencing of the 25 wild Oryza species, public and private genomic resources, and their impact on genetic improvement research. It also addresses the untapped reservoir of agronomically important traits in wild Oryza species. Rice is a model crop plant that is frequently used to address several basic questions in plant biology, yet its wild relatives offer an untapped source of agronomically important alleles that are absent in the rice gene pool. The genus Oryza is extremely diverse, as indicated by a wide range of chromosome numbers, different ploidy levels and genome sizes. After a 13-year gap from the first sequencing of rice in the 2002, the genomes of 11 wild Oryza species have now been sequenced and more will follow. These vast genomic resources are extremely useful for addressing several basic questions on the origin of the genus, evolutionary relationships between the species, domestication, and environmental adaptation, and also help to substantiate molecular breeding and pre-breeding work to introgress useful characters horizontally from wild species into cultivated rice.

In Cereal Genomics: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers provides modern protocols for the analysis and manipulation of cereal genomes. Techniques for isolation and analysis of DNA and RNA from both the vegetative tissues and from the more challenging seeds of cereals are described. Tools for the isolation, characterization and functional analysis of cereal genes and their transcripts are detailed. Methods for molecular screening of cereals and for their genetic transformation are also covered. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Cereal Genomics: Methods and Protocols provides a comprehensive resource for those studying cereal genomes.

In Cereal Genomics: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers provides modern protocols for the analysis and manipulation of cereal genomes. Techniques for isolation and analysis of DNA and RNA from both the vegetative tissues and from the more challenging seeds of cereals are described. Tools for the isolation, characterization and functional analysis of cereal genes and their transcripts are detailed. Methods for molecular screening of cereals and for their genetic transformation are also covered. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Cereal Genomics: Methods and Protocols provides a comprehensive resource for those studying cereal genomes.

The fast-growing sugarcane plant is a major source of sugar (sucrose) in tropical and sub-tropical regions. The high productivity of the plant also makes it a key target for use as an energy crop. The fiber of the plant is used to generate electricity and produce ethanol as a fuel. Sugarcane is a hybrid of two species, each of which is genetically complex. The high level of genetic complexity in sugarcane creates challenges in the application of both conventional and molecular breeding to the genetic improvement of sugarcane as a sugar and energy crop. This book describes technologies that support the continued use and improvement of sugarcane as source of food and energy. Recent technology developments indicate the potential to greatly increase our understanding of the sugarcane plant by application of emerging genomic technologies. This should result in an increased rate of improvement of sugarcane for human uses.

Development of Techniques for the Transformation of Cereals: An Assessment of Methods for the Genetic Transformation of Wheat (R.I.S. Brettell et al.). Genetic Engineering of Wheat and Barley (K. Katha et al.). Genetic Engineering of Cereal Protein Quality: Improvement of Barley and Wheat Quality by Genetic Engineering (P.R. Shrewry et al.). Progress Towards Genetic Engineering of Wheat with Improved Quality (O. Anderson et al.). Genetic Engineering of Cereal Starch Quality: Prospects for the Production of Cereals with Improved Starch Properties (J. Priess et al.). Genetic Engineering of Resistance to Starch Hydrolysis Caused by PreHarvest Sprouting (R.J. Henry et al.). Improvement of Barley Quality by Genetic Engineering: Potential for the Improvement of Malting Quality of Barley by Genetic Engineering (G. Fincher). Regulation of Cereal Genetic Engineering: S. BrookeTaylor et al.). 10 additional articles. Index.

Eucalypts are used for the production of paper products, firewood, charcoal, potential feedstocks for bioenergy and biomaterials, as ornamentals and landscape trees, and in land rehabilitation. Eucalypt breeding is at an early stage with many plantings being only at the first stages of domestication. The relatively small genomes of these species make the application of molecular genetics approaches attractive. The application of modern genomics will accelerate the development of improved eucalypts for a wide range of uses. This book brings together diverse information on the genetics, genomics, and breeding of these important forest species.