Plant Breeding and Whole-System Crop Physiology

by Wallace, David H.; Yan, Weikai

• ISBN13: 9780851992655
• ISBN10: 085199265X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-09-10
• Publisher: Cab Intl

Summary

Improvements in adaptation and maturity leading to greater yield are the most important criteria for the acceptance of a new crop cultivar, since it is the yield which dictates the economic value of the crop. Therefore, yield improvement is one goal of virtually every crop breeding program. Many such programs have tended to concentrate on identifying the genetic traits responsible for higher yield and selecting each of them in the later stages of the breeding cycle. However, selection for yield per se is still the most effective method, since it is a combination of traits, operating within the limits of the system, which finally determines yield. This book presents a whole-system, or holistic viewpoint for the improvement of adaptation, maturity and yield. Central to its thesis is recognition that system-established changes in levels of the components of the plant system, within a constant capacity, i.e. within the limitations of the system, determines yield and other cultivar characteristics. It goes on to describe how this can improve our understanding of plant systems and enable breeders to maximize performance under prevailing field conditions. Based principally on 25 years of research by the authors, the ideas presented in this book are essential reading for crop physiologists and plant breeders.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations

Shifts from current Paradigms Suggested by Near-whole and Whole-system Research

The Beginning of Systems Thinking about Breeding for Yield

Biomass Accumulation: The First Major Physiological-Genetic Component of Yield

Partitioning of Photosynthate: The Second Major Physiological-Genetic Component of Yield

Days to Maturity: The Third Major Physiological-Genetic Component of Yield

A Model of Photoperiod X Temperature Interaction Effects on Plant Development

Prediction of Penology by the Genotype X Photoperiod X Termperature Interaction Model

Interactive Control over Plant Development by Vernalization, Photoperiodism and Temperature

Yield System Analysis: An Adjunct to Yield Trials

Interplant Competition and Breeding for Higher Crop Yield

System-established Interconnections among Plant Traits and Implications for Plant Breeding Strategies

Maximizing Efficiency of Breeding for Higher Crop Yield

Systems Thinking Requires Multidisciplinary Expertise and Collaboration

References

Index

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