Genetic Improvement of Tropical Crops

This book provides a fresh, updated perspective of the current status and perspectives in genetic improvement of a diverse array of tropical crops. The first part covers aspects which are relevant across crops, namely how to maximize the use of genetic information through modern bioinformatic approaches and how to use statistics as a tool to sustain increased genetic gains and breeding efficiency. The second part of the book provides an updated view of some seed-propagated crops, such as rice, maize and oil palm, as well as crops propagated through vegetative means such as sweet potato, cassava, banana and sugarcane. Each chapter addresses the main breeding objectives, markets served, current breeding approaches, biotechnology, genetic progress observed, and in addition a glimpse into the future for each of these selected and important tropical crops. Hugo Campos, Ph.D Over 26 years of international experience in developing varieties and leading plant breeding and biotechnology teams in diverse tropical and temperate crop species. Director of Research at the International Potato Center, a CGIAR center in Lima, Peru. Previously worked at Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira (Brazil), Dupont Pioneer (US and Chile) and Monsanto (several Latin American countries) in international roles of increasing responsibility. Research Fellow at Monsanto, and while at Monsanto received twice the prestigious “Above and Beyond” award for achievements well beyond expectations. B.A. in Agronomy at the Universidad Austral de Chile, Highest Honours, Ph.D. at the John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK, and MBA at the Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile. This is his second book, having previously published with J. Brown and P.D.S. Caligari the book Plant breeding 2nd Edition (Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK.). Member of the Scientific Board of Verdant BioScience (Singapore). Peter D. S. Caligari, D. Sc. Over 40 years of international experience in conducting research and developing varieties through plant breeding and biotechnology in diverse tropical and temperate crop species. Science Strategy Executive Director of Verdant Bioscience.  Previously, Full Professor at the Universidad de Talca, Chile, Fellow of the Royal Biology Society and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (UK), Full member of the Chilean Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Previously Professor of Agricultural Botany and Head of the Department of Agricultural Botany at the University of Reading (UK). Prof. Caligari has had a distinguished and very successful career, including ana very extensive lists of published scientific papers and several books (Brown, J., Caligari, P.D.S & Campos, H.  2014 Plant Breeding 2nd Edition.  Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK;   Brown, J. & Caligari, P.D.S. 2008 An Introduction to Plant Breeding.  Blackwell Scientific, Oxford, UK. pp 224; Bos, I and Caligari, P.D.S.  2008.  Selection Methods in Plant Breeding – 2nd Edition, Springer. The Netherlands) as well as extensive peer review for international journals, grant awarding bodies etc. Director or Managing Director of several companies.