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Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Review Article Publication Acceptance Date: 9/22/1999 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: This is a review of the recently published, 2nd edition of the book 'Principles of Plant Breeding' that was written by Robert W. Allard. This edition is shorter in length & has fewer chapters than the 1st edition. Part I encompasses introductory topics in five chapters. These include Darwinian evolution (new chapter), origins of agriculture, evolution during gdomestication, mating systems, & an overview of plant breeding. Part II reviews the biological foundations of plant breeding. These six chapters include herdity & environment, genetic consequences of hybridization, biometrical genetics, evolution during domestication, marker-assisted analyses of adaptedness in nature (new chapter), & marker-assisted dissection of adaptedness in cultivation (new chapter). Part III focuses on modern breeding plans. Its six chapters include reproductive systems and breeding plans, self-pollinated plants, outcrossing plants, clonally propagated in nature (new chapter), and breeding for low-input agriculture (new chapter). The references have been consolidated into a single section at the end of the book. This edition of 'Principles of Plant Breeding' is suitable for advanced undergraduate & graduate students. Students specializing in plant breeding should have another text such as the first edition of 'Principles of Plant Breeding' for more crop-specific examples, & for formulae & other details that may have been omitted from this edition. It is highly recommended for those scientists in allied disciplines, such as entomology or plant pathology, who find themselves collaborating in long-term projects with plant breeders. It will help them to understand more fully the art and science, as well as the background principles of plant breeding. |
