Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding

Section 7
Selected breeding objectives
Chapter 19 Breeding for physiological and morphological traits
Chapter 20 Breeding for resistance to diseases and insect pests
Chapter 21 Breeding for resistance to abiotic stresses
Chapter 22 Breeding compositional traits and added value
This section is devoted to discussing the genetics and other issues associated with breeding for traits of major
importance to crop production. The discussion focuses on the rationale or the economic importance of each
trait, the genetics of the trait, and the germplasm resources available for breeding. Successes and challenges of
breeding these traits are also addressed. However, specific breeding procedures are not discussed because the
methods of breeding have been addressed in detail in previous chapters in the book. By understanding the
genetics and other characteristics of the traits, the breeder can then select the most appropriate breeding
approach for improving the trait. The traits have been grouped under general categories, but some could be
discussed under other categories as well. Even though they have been discussed as if they are independent,
some of these traits or factors are so interdependent that addressing one impacts the other, as pointed out in
various sections.