Banana Breeding
Banana Breeding

Author: Michael Pillay

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2011-01-21

Total Pages: 383

ISBN-13: 1439800189

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With the current world population growth of 1.2%, the earth can expect to house 9-10 billion people by 2050. Food production, too, must increase to accommodate these numbers. Easy growing, high calorie, nutritious foods, such as bananas are the top priority as a solution to this imminent problem. The first comprehensive compendium on bananas in rec

Somaclonal Variation and Induced Mutations in Crop Improvement
Somaclonal Variation and Induced Mutations in Crop Improvement

Author: S.M. Jain

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-03-14

Total Pages: 615

ISBN-13: 9401591253

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Genetic variability is an important parameter for plant breeders in any con ventional crop improvement programme. Very often the desired variation is un available in the right combination, or simply does not exist at all. However, plant breeders have successfully recombined the desired genes from cultivated crop gerrnplasm and related wild species by sexual hybridization, and have been able to develop new cultivars with desirable agronomie traits, such as high yield, disease, pest, and drought resistance. So far, conventional breeding methods have managed to feed the world's ever-growing population. Continued population growth, no further scope of expanding arable land, soil degradation, environ mental pollution and global warrning are causes of concern to plant biologists and planners. Plant breeders are under continuous pressure to improve and develop new cultivars for sustainable food production. However, it takes several years to develop a new cultivar. Therefore, they have to look for new technologies, which could be combined with conventional methods to create more genetic variability, and reduce the time in developing new cultivars, with early-maturity, and improved yield. The first report on induced mutation of a gene by HJ. Muller in 1927 was a major mi1estone in enhancing variation, and also indicated the potential applica tions of mutagenesis in plant improvement. Radiation sources, such as X-rays, gamma rays and fast neutrons, and chemical mutagens (e. g. , ethyl methane sulphonate) have been widely used to induce mutations.

Tissue Culture of Plantain (Musa Spp.) for Improving Yield Potential
Tissue Culture of Plantain (Musa Spp.) for Improving Yield Potential

Author: Costa Rica). CATIE (Turrialba

Publisher:

Published: 1984

Total Pages: 64

ISBN-13:

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Work accomplished. Research activities. Evaluations and field experimentation. Distribution of tolerant material. In vitro gerplasm collection. In vitro screening method for black sigatika. Callus formation and somatic embryogenesis protoplast and cell culture. Other activities. Work still in progress. Production of tolerant material. Refinement of in vitro screening methods. Toxins and mutagens. Anatomy morphology of adventitious bud formation. Germplasm collection. Protoplast and cell culture. Training. Information center.

Bananas and Plantains
Bananas and Plantains

Author: S. Gowen

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 589

ISBN-13: 9401107378

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In a field of mature bananas, plants can be seen at all stages of vegetative growth and fruit maturity, providing a fascination for anyone who has an interest in growing crops. Banana farmers in the tropics can harvest fruit every day of the year. The absence of seasonality in production is an advantage, in that it provides a continuity of carbohydrate to meet dietary needs as well as a regular source of income, a feature that perhaps has been under-estimated by rural planners and agricultural strategists. The burgeoning interest in bananas in the last 20 years results from the belated realization that Musa is an under-exploited genus, notwithstanding the fact that one genetically narrow group, the Cavendish cultivars, supply a major export commodity second only to citrus in terms of the world fruit trade. International research interest in the diversity of fruit types has been slow to develop, presumably because bananas and plantains have hitherto been regarded as a reliable backyard source of dessert fruit or starch supplying the needs of the household, and in this situation relatively untroubled by pests, diseases or agronomic problems.

Musa Spp
Musa Spp

Author: Marlene Diekmann

Publisher: Bioversity International

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 29

ISBN-13: 9290431598

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The guidelines are divided into two parts. The first part makes general recommendations on how best to move Musa germplasm. The second part covers the important pests and diseases of quarantine concern. The information given on a particular pest or disease is not exhaustive but concentrates on those aspects that are most relevant to quarantine.

Bananas and Plantains
Bananas and Plantains

Author: John Charles Robinson

Publisher: CABI

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 319

ISBN-13: 1845936582

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The Crop Production Science in Horticulture series examines economically important horticultural crops selected from the major production systems in temperate, subtropical and tropical climatic areas. Systems represented range from open field and plantation sites to protected plastic and glass houses, growing rooms and laboratories. Emphasis is placed on the scientific principles underlying crop production practices rather than on providing empirical recipes for uncritical acceptance. Each volume follows a common format covering all aspects of production, from background physiology and breeding, to propagation and planting, through husbandry and crop protection, to harvesting, handling and storage. This volume (2nd edition) focuses on bananas and plantains (Musa), discussing topics on their distribution and importance (chapter 1); taxonomic classification, cultivars and breeding (chapter 2); morphological characteristics and plant development (chapter 3); climatic requirements and problems due to climate (chapter 4); phenological and physiological responses (chapter 5); site selection, soil requirements and soil Preparation (chapter 6); establishing plantation (chapter 7); systems of cultivating bananas and product certifications (chapter 8); nutritional requirements (chapter 9); water requirements and irrigation (chapter 10); horticultural management (chapter 11); diseases (chapter 12); pests (chapter 13); harvesting and fruit handling (chapter 14); and ripening, biochemistry and uses (chapter 15).

Biotechnology of Food Crops in Developing Countries
Biotechnology of Food Crops in Developing Countries

Author: T. Hohn

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 235

ISBN-13: 3709164060

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Recent advances in gene technology, plant transformation, and the growing knowledge of DNA sequences of plants as well as of their most important parasites and symbionts offer many interesting prospects for the breeding of new crop varieties. This was not only recognized by the major seed companies, but also by the governments of developing countries and by worldwide foundations supporting their agriculture. The know-how gained by the seed companies on crops important for the agricultural industry in developed countries could easily be provided for free to the international and national organizations dedicated to development of crops important in the third world. Results obtained worldwide become easily available to everybody through the scientific literature. Likewise, agricultural research in, e.g., the USA or Europe profits from the natural plant gene pool available in the third world. All this definitely provides for the possibility of fast change, new prosperity and security of food supply in the whole world, if properly applied. The fast development also asks for ethical and sociopolitical considerations, whereby not doing the right can be as much a mistake as doing the wrong.