Search

This book describes how the genome sequence contributes to our understanding of allopolyploidisation and the genome evolution, genetic diversity, complex trait regulation and knowledge-based breeding of this important crop. Numerous examples demonstrate how widespread homoeologous genome rearrangements and exchanges have moulded structural genome diversity following a severe polyploidy bottleneck. The allopolyploid crop species Brassica napus has the most highly duplicated plant genome to be assembled to date, with the largest number of annotated genes.Examples are provided for use of the genome sequence to identify and capture diversity for important agronomic traits, including seed quality and disease resistance. The increased potential for detailed gene discovery using high-density genetic mapping, quantitative genetics and transcriptomic analyses is described in the context of genome availability and illustrated with recent examples. Intimate knowledge of the highly-duplicated gene space, on the one hand, and the repeat landscape on the other, particularly in comparison to the two diploid progenitor genomes, provide a fundamental basis for new insights into the regulatory mechanisms that are coupled with selection for polyploid success and crop evolution.

This is the first book to present consolidated, up-to-date information regarding recent trends and future perspectives of polyploidy – a phenomenon that has played a pivotal role in the evolution of domesticated plants and a research area that has been given new impetus thanks to advances in plant biology techniques integrated with bioinformatics tools. The book emphasizes the tremendous potential of polyploidy in plant breeding to improve existing crops and develop new ones to cater for the needs of an ever-increasing human population. It is divided into 8 chapters, each including an introduction and references, and complemented with plentiful illustrations, figures and tables. The chapters cover all facets of polyploidy, from its origin, occurrence, recent polyploidization, formation pathways, artificial induction, criteria for detection, and its significance in the contexts of genomic changes and the changing environment, as well as future perspectives. The book discusses at lengththe aspects of polyploidy that need to be understood for a thorough comprehension of this biologically important subject. It also highlights the recent techniques involved in polyploidy research. Further, it provides a detailed account, with suitable examples, of the different genetic and epigenetic changes that occur in polyploids to help their survival. A timely publication, it serves as an excellent single-source textbook. It is a valuable resource for students, research scholars and teachers of biological sciences in particular, and to plant breeders, cytologists, geneticists, and molecular biologists in general.