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Advances in plant genomics, plant molecular biology and genome editing have revolutionized opportunities for more efficient plant breeding. Successful application requires a concrete understanding of the concepts. Molecular Plant Breeding is an interface of issues from basic concepts to applications to crop improvement. The tools include molecular marker technology, gene mapping, genetic transformation, precise gene editing, and climate smart agriculture. This book provides a comprehensive coverage of molecular tools and methodologies that should be integrated within plant breeding programs for the improvement of crop plants. The book covers all relevant areas of molecular breeding in plants, with concepts and tools of relevance to plant genomics research and advanced molecular breeding. Chapters comprehensively review the contemporary literature on the subject and reflect the experiences of the authors. Each chapter emphasizes introduction covering related backgrounds and providesin-depth discussion of the subject supported with high-quality color illustrations and relevant data. Chapters conclude with future research perspective and, a comprehensive list of pertinent references.

The world population is increasing while arable land is decreasing at an alarming rate. About one-quarter of arable land is degraded and needs significant restoration before it can sustain crops again. By 2030, the water supply will fall 40% short of meeting global demand. Moreover, looming climate change poses additional challenge to increasing food production to feed 10 billion people by 2050. Current major agricultural systems are on a largely unsustainable trajectory because of their contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and biodiversity loss.For these reasons, innovative technologies are being introduced in modern agriculture to sustain food production. They include digital and geospatial technologies to manage soil, climate and plant genetic resources. With the development of tools and sensors integrated into the internet of things (IoT) environment, physically collected information is converted into computer-readable language. Digital innovations thus allow real-time analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) that manage massive amount of data, also known as big data. Accordingly, digital agriculture affords greater potential for sustainable farming and economic benefits. This book summarizes the latest advances in AI-integration of agriculture practices. Specific focus includes but not limited to, big data, yield mapping, pests management, and optimal fertigation. As such, it presents a forward-looking approach to meet multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically, SDG 2, 6, 13 and 15.

This book focuses on recent advances in biosensors and nanosensors to monitor, manage and improve horticultural crops in terms of plant growth, nutrient deficiency, toxicity, diseases, abiotic stress, soil amendments and agrochemicals entry into surrounding environment. Besides contributing to sustainable agriculture, these innovative tools facilitate promoting plant health and horticultural products quality and safety. The book consists of 11 chapters grouped in 4 parts. Part I Growth, Development and Productivity, Part II Trends in Abiotic and Biotic Stress Management, Part III Harvest Quality, Part IV Precision Agriculture and Environment Sustainability. Increased productivity, stimulation of plant growth, precise farming, monitoring food quality and freshness during production, processing, distribution and storage, reduced costs and waste, and sustainable agriculture are some of the concepts discussed. The book presents the mechanisms of biosensors and nanosensors for monitoring the various changes during pre- and post-harvest stages of horticultural crops. These are considered as efficient tools to achieve goals of plant breeders in horticultural crops improvement programs. Chapters are written by globally recognized scientists and subjected to a rigorous review process to ensure quality presentation and scientific precision. Each chapter begins with an introduction that covers similar contexts and includes a detailed discussion of the topic accompanied by high-quality color images, diagrams and relevant details and concludes with recommendations for future study directions in addition to a comprehensive bibliography.

Food and nutrition security is a major concern for Saudi Arabia and the surrounding regions due to the range of challenges they face. These challenges include limited agricultural resources, low self-sufficiency in key food staples, climate change, and high levels of food loss and waste. This book aims to evaluate and analyze the current situation and future prospects of food and nutrition security in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it seeks to analyze and assess the roles and functions of various institutions related to food security, providing a deeper understanding of the complex problems associated with it. Furthermore, this book aligns with Kingdom Vision 2030, which includes a set of strategies and programs focused on agriculture, food, and water security. It also aligns with the institutional identity of King Faisal University's'Food Security and Environmental Sustainability'.The book consists of four volumes. Volume 1, entitled'National Analysis ofAgriculture and Food Security'aims to assess the current state of food security in Saudi Arabia, covering key aspects such as agriculture and food resources, food systems, crops, livestock, poultry, fisheries, animal health, food loss and waste, transportation and strategic reserve infrastructure, food security institutions, population, agricultural extension, climate change, agricultural mechanization, smart agriculture, and the utilization of solar energy.This book is highly significant for professionals, researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs involved in food and nutrition security in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and various national and international organizations. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the obstacles and possibilities in ensuring food and nutrition security, as well as presenting practical approaches to address these issues. Additionally, graduate students studying in fields related to food and nutrition security willbenefit from this book.

Food and nutrition security is a major concern for Saudi Arabia and the surrounding regions due to the range of challenges they face. These challenges include limited agricultural resources, low self-sufficiency in key food staples, climate change, and high levels of food loss and waste. This book aims to evaluate and analyze the current situation and future prospects of food and nutrition security in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it seeks to analyze and assess the roles and functions of various institutions related to food security, providing a deeper understanding of the complex problems associated with it. Furthermore, this book aligns with Kingdom Vision 2030, which includes a set of strategies and programs focused on agriculture, food, and water security. It also aligns with the institutional identity of King Faisal University's'Food Security and Environmental Sustainability'.The book consists of four volumes. Volume 2 is entitled'Macroeconomic Policy Implications on Food and Nutrition Security'. It covers various areas, including food price, loss and waste, processing, finance, trade, investment, quality and safety, consumption patterns, climate change, early warning systems, nutrition institutions, oil revenue, and the significance of date palm and Hassawi rice, genetically modified food, and edible insects in ensuring food and nutritional security.This book is highly significant for professionals, researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs involved in food and nutrition security in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and various national and international organizations. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the obstacles and possibilities in ensuring food and nutrition security, as well as presenting practical approaches to address these issues. Additionally, graduate students studying in fields related to food and nutrition security will benefit from this book.

Over the years, the interventions of genomics tools have paved the way for molecular breeding to meet the challenges of food security and climate resilience. Advances in plant molecular breeding encompassing approaches of genomics, molecular markers, genetic transformation and genome editing have revolutionized crop improvement. Successful application of these tools has led to improvement of a wide range of traits of agronomic relevance. This book provides a comprehensive coverage of successful applications of molecular approaches that can be integrated within plant breeding programs aimed at improvement of crop plants. The book covers all relevant areas of molecular breeding applications in plants, with many examples drawn from the advanced genomics and molecular breeding research. Chapters present a critical appraisal of the current literature in the respective fields of molecular breeding written by expert authors. Each chapter provides in-depth discussion of the subject supported with high-quality color illustrations relevant data and future research perspective and, a comprehensive list of pertinent references.

This book focuses on various tropical fruit tree species management for climate change including mitigation strategies and technological countermeasures taken by researchers, progressive growers and commercial companies to overcome the adverse changes. It can be considered as a unique source emphasizing the fruit species solitary not by subject as usual to enable readers reaching directly to their crop of interest. The content includes genetic resources conservation, remote sensing and environmental certification. Increasing attention of society toward information and measures taken by various stakeholders about climate change risks and threats makes this book very timely. Key points• Provides a contemporary view of the impact of climate change on cultivation of individual fruit species.• Offers modern approaches for mitigating the adverse impact of climate change on fruits cultivation. • Describes research progress of understanding and combating the impact of climate change on fruits production.• Illustrates presented concepts with relevant figures and tabulated data.

This book focuses on various tropical fruit tree species management for climate change including mitigation strategies and technological countermeasures taken by researchers, progressive growers and commercial companies to overcome the adverse changes. It can be considered as a unique source emphasizing the fruit species solitary not by subject as usual to enable readers reaching directly to their crop of interest. The content includes genetic resources conservation, remote sensing and environmental certification. Increasing attention of the society toward information and measures taken by various stakeholders about climate change risks and threats makes this book very timely.Key points covered: Provides a contemporary view of the impact of climate change on cultivation of individual fruit species Offers modern approaches for mitigating the adverse impact of climate change on fruits cultivation Describes research progress of understanding and combating the impact of climate change on fruits production Illustrates presented concepts with relevant figures and tabulated data

This book examines the development of innovative modern methodologies towards augmenting conventional plant breeding, in individual crops, for the production of new crop varieties under the increasingly limiting environmental and cultivation factors to achieve sustainable agricultural production, enhanced food security, in addition to providing raw materials for innovative industrial products and pharmaceuticals. This Volume 8, subtitled Vegetable Crops: Bulbs, Roots and Tubers, consists of 12 chapters focusing on advances in breeding strategies using both traditional and modern approaches for the improvement of individual vegetable crops. Chapters are arranged in 3 parts according to the edible vegetable parts. Part I: Bulbs - Garlic (Allium sativum L.), Leek (Allium ampeloprasum L.) and Shallot (Allium cepa L. Aggregatum group); Part II: Roots - Beetroot (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. conditiva Alefeld), Carrot (Daucus carota L.), Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.), Radish (Raphanus sativus L.), Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris L.) and Turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa L.), Part III: Tubers - Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas L.). The chapters were contributed by 38 internationally reputable scientists from 13 countries. Each chapter comprehensively reviews the modern literature on the subject and reflects the authors own experience.

This book provides up-to-date knowledge of the promising field of Nanobiotechnology with emphasis on the mitigation approaches to combat plant abiotic stress factors, including drought, salinity, waterlog, temperature extremes, mineral nutrients, and heavy metals. These factors adversely affect the growth as well as yield of crop plants worldwide, especially under the global climate change. Nanobiotechnology is viewed to revolutionize crop productivity in future. The chapters discuss the status and prospects of this cutting-edge technology toward understanding tolerance mechanisms, including signaling molecules and enzymes regulation in addition to the applications of Nanobiotechnology to combat individual abiotic stress factors.

This book is the first volume of a comprehensive assemblage of contemporary knowledge relevant to genomics and other omics in date palm. Volume 1 consists of 11 chapters arranged in 3 parts grouped according to subject. Part I, Biology and Phylogeny, focuses on date palm biology, evolution and origin. Part II, Biodiversity and Molecular Identification, covers conformity of in vitro derived plants, molecular markers, barcoding, pollinizer genetics and gender determination. Part III, Genome Mapping and Bioinformatics, addresses genome mapping of nuclear, chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA, in addition to a chapter on progress made in date palm bioinformatics. This volume represents the efforts of 30 international scientists from 10 countries and contains 78 figures and 30 tables to illustrate presented concepts. Volume 2 is published under the title: Omics and Molecular Breeding.

This book is the first comprehensive assemblage of contemporary knowledge relevant to genomics and other omics in date palm. Volume 2 consists of 11 chapters. Part I, Nutritional and Pharmaceuticals Properties, covers the utilization of date palm as an ingredient of various food products, a source of bioactive compounds and the production of nanomaterials. Part II, Omics Technologies, addresses omics resources, proteomics and metabolomics. Part III, Molecular Breeding and Genome Modification, focuses on genetic improvement technologies based on mutagenesis, quantitative traits loci and genome editing. Part IV, Genomics of Abiotic and Biotic Stress, covers metagenomics of beneficial microbes to enhance tolerance to abiotic stress and the various genomics advances as they apply to insect control. This volume represents the efforts of 34 international scientists from 12 countries and contains 65 figures and 19 tables to illustrate presented concepts. Volume 1 is published under the title: Phylogeny, Biodiversity and Mapping.

This book examines the development of innovative modern methodologies towards augmenting conventional plant breeding, in individual crops, for the production of new crop varieties under the increasingly limiting environmental and cultivation factors to achieve sustainable agricultural production, enhanced food security, in addition to providing raw materials for innovative industrial products and pharmaceuticals. This Volume 9, subtitled Vegetable Crops: Fruits and Young Shoots, consists of 12 chapters focusing on advances in breeding strategies using both traditional and modern approaches for the improvement of individual vegetable crops. Chapters are arranged in 2 parts according to the edible vegetable parts. Part I: Fruits - Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum Sendt.), Chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.), Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.), Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.), Eggplant (Solanum spp.), Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.), Sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir.), Melon (Cucumis melo L. Groups Dudaim and Flexuosus), Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) and Part II: Young shoots - Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.). The chapters were contributed by 43 internationally reputable scientists from 11 countries. Each chapter comprehensively reviews the modern literature on the subject and reflects the authors own experience.

Plant breeders and geneticists are under constant pressure to sustain and expand food production by using innovative breeding strategies and introducing minor crops, which are well adapted to marginal lands, provide a source of nutrition, and have abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, to feed an ever-increasing human population. The basic concept of this book is to examine the use of innovative methods, augmenting traditional plant breeding, towards the improvement and development of new crop varieties, under the increasingly limiting environmental and cultivation factors, to achieve sustainable agricultural production and enhanced food security. Three volumes of the book series Advances in Plant Breeding Strategies were published in 2015, 2016 and 2018, respectively: Volume 1. Breeding, Biotechnology and Molecular Tools; Volume 2. Agronomic, Abiotic and Biotic Stress Traits and Volume 3. Fruits. In 2019, the following four volumes were published: Volume 4. Nut and Beverage Crops, Volume 5. Cereals, Volume 6. Industrial and Food Crops and Volume 7. Legumes. In 2021, three volumes are being concurrently published: Volume 8. Vegetable Crops: Bulbs, Roots and Tubers, Volume 9. Vegetable Crops: Fruits and Young Shoots and Volume 10. Vegetable Crops: Leaves, Flowerheads, Green Pods, Mushrooms and Truffles. This Volume 10, subtitled Vegetable Crops: Leaves, Flowerheads, Green Pods, Mushrooms and Truffles, consists of 14 chapters focusing on advances in breeding strategies using both traditional and modern approaches for the improvement of individual vegetable crops. Chapters are arranged in 4 parts according to the edible vegetable parts. Part I: Leaves - Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. var. pekinensis),Rocket salad (Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa Mill.), Spring onion (Allium fistulosum L.),Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.) and Watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.); Pat II: Flowerheads and Green Pods - Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.), Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.), Garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) and Yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ssp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc.); Part III: Mushrooms - Enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes (Curtis) Singer) and Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Sing.); Part IV: Truffles - Desert truffles (Terfezia spp.) and White truffle (Tuber magnatum Picco and T. borchii Vittad.). Each chapter comprehensively reviews the contemporary literature on the subject andreflects the experiences of the authors. Chapters are written by internationally-reputable scientists and subjected to a review process to assure quality presentation and scientific accuracy. Each chapter begins with an introduction covering related backgrounds and provides in-depth discussion of the subject supported with high-quality color photos, illustrations and relevant data. The chapter concludes with recommendations for future research directions, a comprehensive list of pertinent references to facilitate further reading, and appendixes of genetic resources and concerned research institutes. This book series is a valuable resource for advanced students, researchers, scientists, commercial producers and seed companies as well as consultants and policymakers interested in agriculture, particularly in modern breeding technologies.

This book examines the development of innovative modern methodologies towards augmenting conventional plant breeding, in individual crops, for the production of new crop varieties under the increasingly limiting environmental and cultivation factors to achieve sustainable agricultural production, enhanced food security, in addition to providing raw materials for innovative industrial products and pharmaceuticals. This Volume 5, subtitled Cereals, focuses on advances in breeding strategies using both traditional and modern approaches for the improvement of individual crops. It addresses important staple food crops including barley, fonio, finger millet, foxtail millet, pearl millet, proso millet, quinoa, rice, rye, tef, triticale and spelt wheat. The volume is contributed by 53 internationally reputable scientists from 14 countries. Each chapter comprehensively reviews the modern literature on the subject and reflects the authors own experience.

This book examines the development of innovative modern methodologies towards augmenting conventional plant breeding, in individual crops, for the production of new crop varieties under the increasingly limiting environmental and cultivation factors to achieve sustainable agricultural production, enhanced food security, in addition to providing raw materials for innovative industrial products and pharmaceuticals. This Volume 4, subtitled Nut and Beverage Crops, focuses on advances in breeding strategies using both traditional and modern approaches for the improvement of individual plantation crops. Included in Part I, eleven important nut species recognized for their economical and nutritional importance including Almond, Argan, Brazil nut, Cashew nut, Chestnut, Hazelnut, Macadamia, Peanut, Pine nut, Pistachio and Walnut. Part II covers two popular beverage species, coffee and tea. This volume is contributed by 53 internationally reputable scientists from 13 countries. Each chapter comprehensively reviews the modern literature on the subject and reflects the authors own experience.

This book examines the development of innovative modern methodologies towards augmenting conventional plant breeding, in individual crops, for the production of new crop varieties under the increasingly limiting environmental and cultivation factors to achieve sustainable agricultural production, enhanced food security, in addition to providing raw materials for innovative industrial products and pharmaceuticals. This is Vol 6, subtitled Industrial and Food Crops, which consists of two parts. Included in Part I are 11 industrial plant species utilized as sources of raw materials for the production of industrial products including pulp and wood crops (acacia), fiber (cotton, jute and ramie), rubber (guayule and rubber tree), oil (jojoba and flax), biofuels and pharmaceutical (agave) and sugar source (sugarcane). Part II covers 7 food plants selected for their utilization in food industries for the production of chocolate (cacao), cooking oil (oil palm, safflower, sesame and sunflower) and natural flavors and aroma (saffron and vanilla). This volume is contributed by 60 internationally reputable scientists from 14 countries. Each chapter comprehensively reviews the modern literature on the subject and reflects the authors own experience.

This book examines the development of innovative modern methodologies towards augmenting conventional plant breeding, in individual crops, for the production of new crop varieties under the increasingly limiting environmental and cultivation factors to achieve sustainable agricultural production, enhanced food security, in addition to providing raw materials for innovative industrial products and pharmaceuticals. This is Vol 7, subtitled Legumes, focuses on advances in breeding strategies using both traditional and modern approaches for the improvement of individual legume crops. Included in this volume are Adzuki bean, Black gram, Chickpea Cluster bean, Common bean, Cowpea, Faba bean, Hyacinth bean, Lentil, Mung bean, Pigeonpea and Soybean. This volume is contributed by 57 internationally reputable scientists from 9 countries. Each chapter comprehensively reviews the modern literature on the subject and reflects the authors own experience.

The basic concept of this book is to examine the use of innovative methods augmenting traditional plant breeding towards the development of new crop varieties under different environmental conditions to achieve sustainable food production. This book consists of two volumes: Volume 1 subtitled Breeding, Biotechnology and Molecular Tools and Volume 2 subtitled Agronomic, Abiotic and Biotic Stress Traits. This is volume 2 which contains 18 chapters highlighting breeding strategies for specific plant traits including improved nutritional and pharmaceutical properties as well as enhanced tolerance to insects, diseases, drought, salinity and temperature extremes expected under predicted global climate change.

This important 2-volume reference book is the first comprehensive resource reflecting the current global status and prospects of date palm cultivation by country. This volume covers Asia and Europe. The Asian countries included are: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Pakistan, Oman, Yemen, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Syria, Palestine and India. Europe is represented by Spain. Topics discussed are: cultivation practices; genetic resources and breeding; conservation and germplasm banks; cultivar classification and identification based on morphological and molecular markers; micropropagation and progress toward scale-up production; and advances in dates processing and marketing. Chapters are supported by tables and color photographs. Appendixes summarize traits and distribution of major cultivars, commercial resources of offshoots and in vitro plants; and institutions and scientific societies concerned with date palm.

This important 2-volume reference book is the first comprehensive resource reflecting the current global status and prospects of date palm cultivation by country. This volume covers Africa and the Americas. Countries included are: Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Cameroon, Djibouti, Chad, Mali Somalia, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Senegal, as well as the United States of America and the South American countries Chile and Peru. Topics discussed are: cultivation practices; genetic resources and breeding; conservation and germplasm banks; cultivar classification and identification based on morphological and molecular markers; micropropagation and progress toward scale-up production; and advances in dates processing and marketing. Chapters are supported by tables and color photographs. Appendixes summarize traits and distribution of major cultivars, commercial resources of offshoots and in vitro plants; and institutions and scientific societies concerned with date palm.

The basic concept of this book is to examine the use of innovative methods augmenting traditional plant breeding towards the development of new crop varieties under different environmental conditions to achieve sustainable food production. This book consists of two volumes: Volume 1 subtitled Breeding, Biotechnology and Molecular Tools and Volume 2 subtitled Agronomic, Abiotic and Biotic Stress Traits. This is Volume 1 which consists of 21 chapters covering domestication and germplasm utilization, conventional breeding techniques and the role of biotechnology. In addition to various biotechnological applications in plant breeding, it includes functional genomics, mutations and methods of detection, and molecular markers. In vitro techniques and their applications in plant breeding are discussed with an emphasis on embryo rescue, somatic cell hybridization and somaclonal variation. Other chapters cover haploid breeding, transgenics, cryogenics and bioinformatics.

This important reference book is the first comprehensive resource worldwide that reflects research achievements in date palm biotechnology, documenting research events during the last four decades, current status, and future outlook. This book is essential for researchers, policy makers, and commercial entrepreneurs concerned with date palm. The book is invaluable for date palm biotechnology students and specialists. This monument is written by an international team of experienced researchers from both academia and industry. It consists of five sections covering all aspects of date palm biotechnology including A) Micropropagation, B) Somaclonal Variation, Mutation and Selection, C) Germplasm Biodiversity and Conservation, D) Genetics and Genetic Improvement, and E) Metabolites and Industrial Biotechnology. The book brings together the principles and practices of contemporary date palm biotechnology. Each chapter contains background knowledge related to the topic, followed by a comprehensive literature review of research methodology and results including the authors own experience including illustrative tables and photographs.