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This book dispenses a comprehensive coverage of up-to-date account of genomics and genome editing enriched smart plant breeding approaches for enhancing genetic gains in vegetable crops in the post-genomics era. The main focus of the present volume is to illuminate the applications of new techniques evolved in the post-genomics era. The techniques covered are high-throughput sequencing of DNA and RNA, genome editing, epigenetics and epigenomics, genotype by sequencing (GBS), QTL-seq and RNA-seq for transcriptome analysis. Vegetables are the important component of healthy diet, source of energy and hold a promising position in building up a strong immunity. Zero hunger and attaining the food and nutritional security is the top priority of United Nations development goals. Smart breeding of food and vegetable crops to fight the challenges ahead in sustainable manner by keeping the harmony with nature is an important approach to fulfill the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). This edited book highlights the modern results in smart vegetable breeding in the post genomics era and forecasts crucial areas of future needs. It is an important reference for the, readers, students, researchers, scientists in academia and research industries to provide them comprehensive information of innovative approaches for crop improvement in the post-genomics era and in the era of and climate change. Even the readers, academia, social activists, and others fond of reading will get a fair idea of journey travelled so far and future roadmap for fighting the challenges ahead to meet the sustainable development goals.

This second volume on the topic will be extremely useful for the researchers and postgraduate students working on vegetable crops with a special focus on climate change. Today, the entire world is suffering from global warming and its consequent, climate change. This has emerged as the most prominent global environmental issue and there is an urgent need to mitigate its impact on agriculture. Over the past 20 years South Asia has had a robust economic growth, yet it is home to more than one fourth of the world's hunger and 40% of the world's malnourished children and women. Persistent climatic variability, which results in frequent drought and flood, is among the major reasons for this phenomenon. Vegetables are in general more succulent (have 90% water) and more sensitive to climatic vagaries and sudden changes in temperature, as well as irregular precipitation at any phase of crop growing, can affect the normal growth, flowering, pollination, fruit setting, fruit development and fruit ripening which eventually decreases the yield. The irregular precipitation also causes the soil salinity and is a major challenge in many vegetable growing areas. To mitigate the harmful impact of climatic change there is an urgent need to develop adequate adaptation strategies for adverse effect of climate change and preference should be given to the development of heat, cold, drought, flood and salinity stress tolerant genotypes along with climate proofing through conventional and non-conventional breeding techniques, as well as exploiting the beneficial effects of CO2 enhancement on crop growth and yield. Available evidence shows that there is high probability of increase in the frequency and intensity of climate related natural hazards due to climate change and hence increase the potential threat due to climate change related natural disasters in the world. At present protected cultivation and grafted seedlings are also popularizing among vegetable growers because of the huge scope as well as, molecular breeding, emerging insect-pests & diseases and postharvest quality of vegetables under this climate change scenario. Moreover, underexploited vegetables, perennial vegetable and tuber crops have a more tolerant ability to climate vagaries compare to major vegetables which are also discussed in this book.

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.

Vegetables are essential components of a balanced diet and offer significant economic benefits to farmers. Enhancing crop productivity through crop improvement is a highly effective approach. The production and consumption of vegetables have witnessed considerable growth. Improved varieties have made a significant contribution to the increase in yield and quality of vegetable crops. The diversity of vegetable species is remarkable and has played a vital role in boosting production and consumption worldwide. For crop improvement, understanding the origin, distribution, and evolution of the crop and its related species is crucial. Genetic information is a prerequisite for selecting appropriate breeding strategies to achieve specific objectives. The objectives of breeding vary depending on the region and the intended use of the product, such as fresh market, processing, or dual-purpose crops, as well as the cultivation method, such as protection, open field, or kitchen garden. Based on the objectives and genetic resources, various breeding methods and procedures can be adopted, leading to the development of useful varieties or hybrids. This book provides an abridged overview of breeding in vegetable crops. It covers a wide range of crops by appending and updating information on genetics, genetic resources, breeding methods and procedures, and varieties/hybrids developed in each of the 26 vegetable crops wherever available. The presentation of information on each crop follows a logical sequence, beginning with the origin and evolution, genetic resources, genetics of fruits, breeding methods, and varieties/hybrids developed.

After a long career in agricultural research in the UK and then in Africa, Richard Gibson ‘retired'and got an allotment. In his work, he had found that African smallholders often rejected varieties bred for them on research stations – and that participatory plant breeding (PPB) was the solution. He was somewhat surprised to find that modern varieties of vegetables also had, on the whole, not been bred to be ‘fit for gardeners'purposes', instead commercial interests dominating. Once again, PPB seems appropriate but it takes some very recent and exciting developments to enable this to work for UK gardeners.

Plant improvement has shifted its focus from yield, quality and disease resistance to factors that will enhance commercial export, such as early maturity, shelf life and better processing quality. Conventional plant breeding methods aiming at the improvement of a self-pollinating crop, such as wheat, usually take 10-12 years to develop and release of the new variety. During the past 10 years, significant advances have been made and accelerated methods have been developed for precision breeding and early release of crop varieties. This edited volume summarizes concepts dealing with germplasm enhancement and development of improved varieties based on innovative methodologies that include doubled haploidy, marker assisted selection, marker assisted background selection, genetic mapping, genomic selection, high-throughput genotyping, high-throughput phenotyping, mutation breeding, reverse breeding, transgenic breeding, shuttle breeding, speed breeding, low cost high-throughput field phenotyping, etc. It is an important reference with special focus on accelerated development of improved crop varieties.

Brighter zinnias, fragrant carnations, snappier green beansPlant Breeding for the Home Gardener makes it easier than ever to breed and grow your own varieties of vegetables and flowers. This comprehensive and accessible guide explains how to decide what to breed, provides simple explanations on how to cross plants, and features a basic primer on genetics and advanced techniques. Case studies provide breeding examples for favorite plants like daffodils, hollyhocks, roses, sweet corn, and tomatoes.

Summarizing landmark research, Volume 3 of this essential series furnishes information on the availability of germplasm resources that breeders can exploit for producing high-yielding vegetable crop varieties. Written by leading international experts, this volume offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on employing genetic resource

Vegetable production in our country is still dominated by locally available genotypes or open-pollinated varieties, which are low-yielding and susceptible to various insect pests and diseases. This is largely due to farmers lack of knowledge and poor extension services. Therefore, there is a need to cultivate vegetable hybrids to increase production, productivity, and quality. The development of hybrids from existing varieties plays a crucial role not only in increasing productivity but also in combating several problems faced by farmers. To achieve these objectives, the authors have made an effort to provide information on the development of vegetable hybrids, both theoretically and practically, in the form of a book entitled Heterosis Breeding in Vegetable Crops. This publication contains 17 chapters in two sections. The first section includes 10 chapters related to the theoretical aspects of heterosis, such as (i) Introduction to Heterosis, (ii) Basis of Heterosis, (iii) Commercial Exploitation of Heterosis, (iv) Reproduction, Pollen, and Pollen Biotechnology, (v) Population Improvement of Parents/Hybrids Varieties, (vi) Genetic Purity Testing of Hybrids, (vii) Hybrid Varieties Testing and Release Procedures in India, (viii) Biotechnology and Vegetable Improvement, (ix) Intellectual Property Right-related Issues in Hybrid Technology, and (x) Economics, Import, and Export. The second section consists of practical aspects of hybrid seed production and includes seven chapters on different vegetable crops, such as (xi) Solanaceous Crops—Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli, and Bell Pepper, (xii) Malvaceous Crops—Okra, (xiii) Cole Crops—Cabbage and Cauliflower, (xiv) Cucurbitaceous Crops—Bitter Gourd, Bottle Gourd, Cucumber, Muskmelon, Watermelon, Pumpkin, Ridged and Smooth Gourd, (xv) Root Crops—Carrot, (xvi) Bulb Crops—Onion, and (xvii) Hints for Hybrid Cultivation. All the chapters include references, illustrations, and tables. The publication also contains characteristics of national released hybrids with colored photographs, which would be useful to teachers, scientists, students, extension workers, vegetable industry, and farmers in our country.

Genetic improvement has played a vital role in enhancing the yield potential of vegetable crops. There are numerous vegetable crops grown worldwide and variable degrees of research on genetics, breeding and biotechnology have been conducted on these crops. This book brings together the results of such research on crops grouped as alliums, crucifers, cucurbits, leaf crops, tropical underground and miscellaneous. Written by eminent specialists, each chapter concentrates on one crop and covers cytology, genetics, breeding objectives, germplasm resources, reproductive biology, selection breeding methods, heterosis and hybrid seed production, quality and processing attributes and technology. This unique collection will be of great value to students, scientists and vegetable breeders as it provides a reference guide on genetics, breeding and biotechnology of a wide range of vegetable crops.