Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding

Section 1
Historical perspectives and
importance of plant breeding
Chapter 1 History and role of plant breeding in society
Plant breeding as a human endeavor has its origins in antiquity, starting off simply as discrimination among
plant types to select and retain plants with the most desirable features. Remarkably, the practice of selection
remains the primary strategy for crop improvement, even though many technologically advanced techniques
have been added to the arsenal of the modern plant breeder. Plant breeding differs from evolution in that the
former is planned and purposeful. The student needs to appreciate how this formal activity of plant manipulation
started and the advances made over the ages. More importantly, the student needs to appreciate the
achievements of plant breeding and its impact on society. This section introduces the student to the field of
plant breeding, highlighting its development, importance, and approaches.