Plant Genetic Conservation

An introduction to the conservation and utilisation of plant genetic diversity, with a focus on sustaining global food security.

Nigel Maxted (Author), Danny Hunter (Author), Rodomiro Ortiz Ríos (Author)

9780521001304, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 10 September 2020

578 pages
24.5 x 18.9 x 2.7 cm, 1.29 kg

'This work in fact builds on their contributions and will broaden the scope of any student's perspective.' T. Johnson, Choice

Plant 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.

Foreword
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Establishing the social, political and ethical context
3. Plant taxonomy
4. Plant population genetics
5. Genetic diversity measurement
6. Planning plant conservation
7. Conservation strategies and techniques
8. In situ conservation
9. On-farm conservation
10. Community-based conservation
11. Germplasm collecting
12. Seed gene bank conservation
13. Whole plant, plantlet and DNA conservation
14. Plant uses
15. Germplasm evaluation
16. Plant breeding
17. Participatory plant breeding
18. Conservation data management
Glossary
Acronyms and Abbreviations
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Sustainable agriculture [TVF], Sustainability [RNU], Social impact of environmental issues [RNT], Climate change [RNPG], Conservation of the environment [RNK], Environmental management [RNF], Plant ecology [PSTS], Botany & plant sciences [PST], Genetics [non-medical PSAK], Personal & public health [MBNH]