Nigel Maxted, Danny Hunter, Rodomiro Ortiz RíosCambridge University Press, 9/10/2020EAN 9780521001304, ISBN10: 0521001307Paperback, 578 pages, 24.6 x 18.8 x 2.8 cmLanguage: EnglishPlant diversity sustains all animal life, and the genetic diversity within plants underpins global food security. This text provides a practical and theoretical introduction to the strategies and actions to adopt for conserving plant genetic variation, as well as explaining how humans can exploit this diversity for sustainable development. Notably readable, it initially offers current knowledge on the characterization and evaluation of plant genetic resources. The authors then discuss strategies from in situ and ex situ conservation to crop breeding, exploring how these can be used to improve food security in the face of increasing agrobiodiversity loss, human population growth and climate change. Each chapter draws on examples from the literature or the authors' research and includes further reading references. Containing other useful features such as a glossary, it is invaluable for professionals and undergraduate and graduate students in plant sciences, ecology, conservation, genetics and natural resource management.ForewordPreface1. Introduction2. Establishing the social, political and ethical context3. Plant taxonomy4. Plant population genetics5. Genetic diversity measurement6. Planning plant conservation7. Conservation strategies and techniques8. In situ conservation9. On-farm conservation10. Community-based conservation11. Germplasm collecting12. Seed gene bank conservation13. Whole plant, plantlet and DNA conservation14. Plant uses15. Germplasm evaluation16. Plant breeding17. Participatory plant breeding18. Conservation data managementGlossaryAcronyms and AbbreviationsReferencesIndex.
