This book offers a detailed exploration of cutting-edge advancements in crop improvement, focusing on innovative techniques that are revolutionizing modern agriculture. It bridges the gap between traditional breeding methods and contemporary technologies, presenting a cohesive understanding of how advanced molecular, computational, and biotechnological tools are being employed to enhance crop productivity, resilience, and sustainability. By addressing challenges, such as climate change, resource limitations, and the growing demand for food, this work underscores the transformative potential of these methodologies in achieving global agricultural goals. The content delves into a diverse range of topics, including precisiondriven breeding techniques, genome editing, and population improvement strategies. It also emphasizes the importance of data-centric approaches, such as bioinformatics, omics, and computational modeling, which are enabling researchers to make more informed decisions in crop improvement programs. Innovative methodologies like gene regulation, next-generation sequencing, and novel transformation techniques are discussed in detail, highlighting their practical applications and potential to accelerate genetic gains. Designed for researchers, academicians, practitioners, and students in the fields of plant breeding, genetics, and biotechnology, this book serves as a valuable resource for understanding the latest developments in crop science. It aims to inspire the adoption of novel technologies that can address complex agricultural challenges, improve crop performance, and contribute to sustainable farming practices. By fostering innovative thinking and equipping readers with practical knowledge, it supports the development of resilient agricultural systems that can meet the demands of a growing global population while preserving natural resources.
Dr. Shashidhara, N. is working as an Assistant Professor (GPB) and Assistant Seed Production Officer (ASPO) at AICRP on SEED (Crops), Seed Unit, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. He obtained his M.Sc. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from the same institution in 2003 and later earned his Ph.D. from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru in 2010. Following his doctoral studies, he pursued post-doctoral research at the Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. From 2012 to 2017, he served as an Assistant Professor (PG&B) at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute, Karaikal, Puducherry. With over 13 years of post-Ph.D. experience, Dr. Shashidhara has made significant contributions to teaching, research, and extension in agriculture. His prolific research output includes numerous papers in renowned national and international peer-reviewed journals, along with published books for under and post-graduate students, book chapters and popular articles. He also serves as an editor and reviewer for several respected journals and is a lifetime member of multiple prestigious societies. He has received over ten awards from notable national and international organizations/ societies. His dedication extends beyond academia, contributing to the development of high-protein rice and maize varieties to the farming community. Dr. Shashidhara’s career is marked by his unwavering commitment to advancing agricultural sciences, fostering innovation through research, and inspiring future generations in the field of Genetics and Plant Breeding.
Dr. Dhanalakshmi, T. N. is an academician serving as an Assistant Professor in Genetics and Plant Breeding at the College of Horticulture, Hiriyur, affiliated to Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (KSNUAHS), Shivamogga, Karnataka. She was awarded Master’s degree in 2009 and received the University Gold Medal for securing the highest OGPA for her B.Sc. (Agriculture) from the University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore. She served as a Junior Breeder in AICRP on Castor from 2012 to 2018 and was involved in developing and releasing the Castor hybrid HCH-6 for the Karnataka state farming community. She has published many research papers in various scientific journals and abstracts in different national and international conferences and seminars. She has published books in the regional language Kannada for the benefit of the farming community and extension workers on different platforms. She has also published several book chapters for the benefit of students for their academic purposes and various competitive exams. Additionally, she serves as an editor and reviewer for a few national and international peer-reviewed journals. She is a lifetime member of several esteemed societies and recipient of several awards from recognized bodies. She has participated in many international and national seminars, conferences, faculty/ capacity development programs, and other training programs.
Dr. Boranayaka, M. B. is a distinguished academician and researcher currently serving as a Technical Officer (Plant Breeding) at AICRP on Wheat & Barley, UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka. He earned his B.Sc. (Agri.) from UAS, Bangalore, and M.Sc. (Agri.) in Plant Breeding & Genetics from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,Coimbatore, where he was awarded the Sivasailam Gold Medal at AC & RI, Madurai. Dr. Boranayaka pursued Ph.D. at UAS, Raichur, under the RGNF fellowship from the Department of Science & Technology, UGC, New Delhi. With 15 years of experience in research, teaching, and extension activities at various State Agricultural Universities, he has served as a Research Associate at AICRP on (Small Millets), SRF in Rice DUS Centre at UAS, Bangalore, and Technical Officer (Plant Breeding) at AICRP on Sorghum and Technical Officer, Farm Management-KVK at UAS, Dharwad. His expertise includes conventional plant breeding, mutation breeding, marker-assisted breeding, and crop varietal seed production and maintenance. Notably, his work on developing a partial sterile mutant in finger millet and collaborating on the development and registration of plant germplasm in rabi sorghum and wheat is well-recognized. Dr. Boranayaka has published numerous research and review papers in esteemed national and international journals and has participated in many seminars, conferences, and workshops.
Dr. Lokesh, G.Y., is working as an Associate Professor (GPB), University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur. He was awarded M.Sc. degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding from University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad in 2004 and Ph.D. degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding from University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru in 2016. He has 14 years of post-Ph.D. experience in teaching, research and extension in the field of Agriculture. Out of which, he served as a Junior Breeder from 2010 to 2020 at Seed Unit, UAS, Raichur and now working in College of Agriculture, Raichur, engaged in Teaching to Under Graduate, Post-Graduate and Ph.D. students. He is associated with release of several varieties and several technologies in the University. He has guided several M.Sc. students in the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding. His work reflects a dedication to advancing agricultural sciences through research, teaching, and community engagement.
1 Genesis for Newer Techniques for Crop Improvement .................1
2 Molecular Markers, Marker-Assisted Breeding, and Genome-Assisted Breeding in Crop Improvement.......................33
3 MAGIC Population for Crop Improvement...................................53
4 RNA Interference, Next-Generation Sequencing,Gene Silencing, and Nanotechnology in Crop Improvement .....85
5 Gene Silencing and Crop Improvement .......................................105
6 Smart Breeding for Crop Improvement........................................125
7 Speed Breeding Approaches in Crop Improvement...................143
8 CRISPR/Cas System Mediated Crop Improvement...................163
9 Contemporary Approaches in Crop Improvement.....................183
10 Crop Improvement by Genetic Engineering................................211
11 Transgenic Technology in Crop Improvement............................237
12 Plant Tissue Culture Techniques in Crop Improvement............253
13 Mutagenesis and Crop Improvement ...........................................271
14 Bioinformatic Tools in Crop Improvement..................................287
15 Omics and Metabolomics Assisted Crop Improvement ............303
16 In Planta Transformation: A Smart Way of Crop Improvement...........................................................................319
17 Tweaking Micro RNA-Mediated Gene Regulation for Crop Improvement...........................................................................333
18 Next Generation Sequencing Tools in Crop Improvement........347
19 Hybrid-Enabled Line Profiling (HELP) in Crop Improvement...........................................................................361
20 Crop Simulation Modelling in Crop Improvement ....................377
21 Uses of Softwares in Crop Improvement .....................................395
