The Role of Polyploidization and Interspecific Hybridization in the Breeding of Ornamental Crops

Polyploidy and hybridisation are critical processes in plant evolution and speciation. Many current agricultural crops are either natural or agricultural hybrids or polyploids, including potato, sugarcane, wheat, strawberries, and banana. There is a great deal of potential to utilise these natural evolutionary processes for targeted crop improvement; for example, through introgression of desired traits from wild species into crops, production of seedless fruits, or even creation of entirely new crop types. This book provides a comprehensive summary of how the processes of polyploidy and hybridisation have shaped the foods we eat and how these processes can be used for crop improvement. Contents: Interspecific Hybridization For Upland Cotton Improvement. Allopolyploidy and Interspecific Hybridization for Wheat Improvement. Potato Breeding through Ploidy Manipulations. Polyploid Induction Techniques and Breeding Strategies in Poplar. Musa Interspecific Hybridization and Polyploidy for Breeding Banana and Plantain (Musaceae). Strawberry (Plants in the Genus Fragaria). The role of polyploidization and interspecific hybridization in the breeding of ornamental crops. Polyploidy in maize: The impact of homozygosity and hybridity on phenotype. Broadening the genetic basis for crop improvement: Interspecific hybridization within and between ploidy levels in Helianthus. Crop Improvement of Phaseolus spp through Interspecific and Intraspecific Hybridization. Triticale. Polyploidy and Interspecific Hybridization in Cynodon, Paspalum, Pennisetum, and Zoysia. Interploid and Interspecific Hybridization for Kiwifruit Improvement. Oat Improvement and Innovation Using Wild Genetic Resources (Poaceae, Avena spp.): Elevating "Oats" to a New Level and Stature. Interspecific hybridization of chestnut. Use of Polyploids, Interspecific, and Intergeneric Wide Hybrids in Sugar Beet Improvement. Polyploidy in Watermelon. Optimization of recombination in interspecific hybrids to introduce new genetic diversity into oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). Interspecific Hybridization for Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Improvement.