Biotechnology and Plant Breeding includes critical discussions of the newest and most important applications of biotechnology in plant breeding, covering key topics such as biometry applied to molecular analysis of genetic diversity, genetically modified plants, and more. This work goes beyond recombinant DNA technology to bring together key information and references on new biotech tools for cultivar development, such as double-haploids, molecular markers, and genome-wide selection, among others. It is increasingly challenging for plant breeders and agricultural systems to supply enough food, feed, fiber and biofuel for the global population. As plant breeding evolves and becomes increasingly sophisticated, a staggering volume of genetic data is now generated. Biotechnology and Plant Breeding helps researchers and students become familiar with how the vast amounts of genetic data are generated, stored, analyzed and applied. This practical resource integrates information about plant breeding into the context of modern science, and assists with training for plant breeders including those scientists who have a good understanding of molecular biology/biotechnology and need to learn the art and practice of plant breeding. Plant biologists, breeding technicians, agronomists, seed technologists, students, and any researcher interested in biotechnologies applied to plant breeding will find this work an essential tool and reference for the field.Contents: Contributors Preface 1: Plant Breeding and Biotechnological Advances Introduction Evolution of Genetics and Plant Breeding The Impacts of Advances During the Twentieth Century Advances and Expected Benefits of Biotechnology Improvement of Tools in the Third Millennium Combined Classic Breeding and Biotechnology Perspectives 2: Molecular Markers Introduction PCR-Based Markers Hybridization-Based Markers Markers Based on Sequencing Choice of Molecular Marker 3: Biometrics Applied to Molecular Analysis in Genetic Diversity Introduction Genetic Diversity Between Accesses or Within Populations Diversity and Population Structure Statistic Tests of the Variance Components and Statistics F 4: Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) Introduction QTL Analysis and Genomic Selection: Concepts Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) Genome-Wide Mapping via Single Marker Regression Statistical Power and Significance of Association for QTL Detection Genome-Wide Mapping with Haplotype Mixed Models GWAS in Humans Capturing h2 in Humans with Imperfect LD Between SNPs and Causal Variants 5: Genome-Wide Selection (GWS) Introduction Genome-Wide Selection (GWS) Accuracy of GWS Estimation, Validation, and Selection Populations Relationship Between Genetic Variance and Marker Variance Increase in the Efficiency of Selection for Plant Breeding 6: Genes Prospection Introduction Principles of Genetic Mapping Isolation of Genes by Using Techniques for Structural Genome Relationship Between Genetic and Physical Maps Physical Mapping and Isolation of Loci of Interest The Isolation of Genes From the Functional Genome Choosing a Technique for Functional Gene Cloning The Cloning of Genes Using Bioinformatics Resources Validation of Candidate Genes Prospects for the Isolation of Genes of Interest 7: Tissue Culture Applications for the Genetic Improvement of Plants Introduction Somaclonal Variation Mutagenesis Protoplast Fusion Embryo Rescue Production of Double Haploid Lines Synthetic Seed Production In vitro Selection Germplasm Conservation And Exchange 8: Transgenic Plants Introduction Organization and Gene Expression in Eukaryotes Manipulation of Nucleic Acids Methodologies for the Development of Transgenic Plants Laboratory Steps for the Development of Transgenic Plants Identification of Transgenic Plants Use, Effects, and Management of Transgenic Cultivars 9: Double Haploids Haploid Production Ploid Identification and Chromosome Counting Double-Haploid Production Double Haploids in Breeding Advantages and Disadvantages in the Use of Double Haploids Application on the Genomic Statistics Economical Aspects 10: Tools for the Future Breeder Introduction Genomic Tools Techniques Applied to Structural Genome Techniques Applied to Functional Genome Average- And Large-Scale Attainment of Markers Bioinformatics Tools Biotechnology in Plant Breeding Perspectives of Genome-Assisted Plant Breeding Index