Considerable interest has developed in recent years in crucifers and particularly in their wild relatives, as they contain genetic material that may be utilized for further evolution of superior crop varieties through introgression and distant hybridization. Until now, there has been no single volume that focuses exclusively on the biology and breeding aspects of the wild brassica species. Bringing together contributions of leading international experts, Biology and Breeding of Crucifers provides a unique perspective on this species which is so important to research in crop genetics. This treatise begins by exploring the systematics and phylogenies of wild crucifers. Supported by sharp close-up photos and descriptions to assist in identification of wild crucifers, the book further examines breeding methods, self-incompatibility, male sterility, germination, viability of seeds, and plant-insect interactions. Detailed accounts of comparative cytogenetics, distant hybridization, and the role of phytoalexins are also presented. The book contains comprehensive discussions on floral variations, biotechnology, and haploidy breeding. Reflecting the concern of botanists and plant genetic engineers in enhancing rapeseed-mustard production, the contributors also examine genetic improvement of vegetable crucifers, industrial products from wild crucifers, and the preservation and maintenance of plant genetic resources. The information contained in this text will assist researchers in developing ways to increase genetic variability among brassicas, improve crop productivity and quality, and adopt synergistic approaches to ensure food and nutritional security worldwide.

Breeding Oilseed Crops for Sustainable Production: Opportunities and Constraints presents key insights into accelerating the breeding of sustainable and superior varieties. The book explores the genetic engineering/biotechnology that has played a vital role in transforming economically important traits from distant/wild species to cultivated varieties, enhancing the quality and quantity of oil and seed yield production. Integrated nutrient management, efficient water management, and forecasting models for pests diseases outbreaks and integrated pest and pest management have also added new dimensions in breeding for sustainable production. With the rise in demand, the scientific community has responded positively by directing a greater amount of research towards sustainable production both for edible and industrial uses. Covering the latest information on various major world oil crops including rapeseed mustard, sunflower, groundnut, sesame, oilpalm, cotton, linseed/flax, castor and olive, this book brings the latest advances together in a single volume for researchers and advanced level students.

Rapeseed is an important oilseed crop belonging to Crucifereae family and grown in subtropical to temperate climate. Recent discoveries have caused the scientific community to respond positively by directing a greater amount of research towards increasing production and improving the quality of rapeseed oil. Today, the annual worldwide production is approximately 7.5 million tons on 4 million acres. Canola ranks 5th in the production of world's oilseed crops following soybean, sunflower, groundnut and cottonseed.
"Rapeseed Breeding" fully explains the miraculous discoveries about the genetic material which have contributed to the growth of this important crop. With contributions from world-renowned researchers from North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, this book provides the first scientific reference for scientists interested in the further exploitation of this important crop.

* Presents history, origin and evolution, breeding methods, practical applications of DNA markers, fingerprinting of cultivars, and conservation of rapeseed germplasm
* Includes detail of different breeding purposes including breeding for improved oil and meal quality, breeding for winter hardiness, breeding for herbicides, and breeding for hybrid rape.
* Provides analysis of ecology, usage, degeneration and application

Despite the recent advances made in the improvement of crucifer crops using conventional breeding techniques, the yield levels and the oil and meal quality could not be improved as expected. The understanding of genetic material (DNA/RNA) and its manipulation by scientists has provided the opportunity to improve crucifers by increasing its diversity beyond conventional genetic limitations. The application of the biotechnological techniques will have major impacts in two ways: first, it provides a number of techniques/methods for efficient selection for favorable variants and second, it gives an opportunity to utilize alien variation available in the crucifers by using the novel techniques of biotechnology to develop high yielding varieties with good nutritional quality, having resistance to insect, pest, and disease resistance.

Despite the recent advances made in the improvement of crucifer crops using conventional breeding techniques, the yield levels and the oil and meal quality could not be improved as expected. The understanding of genetic material (DNA/RNA) and its manipulation by scientists has provided the opportunity to improve crucifers by increasing its diversity beyond conventional genetic limitations. The application of the biotechnological techniques will have major impacts in two ways: first, it provides a number of techniques/methods for efficient selection for favorable variants and second, it gives an opportunity to utilize alien variation available in the crucifers by using the novel techniques of biotechnology to develop high yielding varieties with good nutritional quality, having resistance to insect, pest, and disease resistance.

Considerable interest has developed in recent years in crucifers and particularly in their wild relatives, as they contain genetic material that may be utilized for further evolution of superior crop varieties through introgression and distant hybridization. Until now, there has been no single volume that focuses exclusively on the biology and breeding aspects of the wild brassica species. Bringing together contributions of leading international experts, Biology and Breeding of Crucifers provides a unique perspective on this species which is so important to research in crop genetics.

This treatise begins by exploring the systematics and phylogenies of wild crucifers. Supported by sharp close-up photos and descriptions to assist in identification of wild crucifers, the book further examines breeding methods, self-incompatibility, male sterility, germination, viability of seeds, and plant-insect interactions. Detailed accounts of comparative cytogenetics, distant hybridization, and the role of phytoalexins are also presented.

The book contains comprehensive discussions on floral variations, biotechnology, and haploidy breeding. Reflecting the concern of botanists and plant genetic engineers in enhancing rapeseed-mustard production, the contributors also examine genetic improvement of vegetable crucifers, industrial products from wild crucifers, and the preservation and maintenance of plant genetic resources.

The information contained in this text will assist researchers in developing ways to increase genetic variability among brassicas, improve crop productivity and quality, and adopt synergistic approaches to ensure food and nutritional security worldwide.