This multi-authored book provides a comprehensive review of citrus breeding, including relevant genetics, molecular biology and biotechnology. Topics discussed include origin and Taxonomy, hybridization and see procedures, triploid breeding, mutation breeding, selection for fruit traits, tree characters and disease resistant, rootstock breeding, soil adaptation, nucellar embryony, cytogenetics, mapping, gene cloning, chromosome transfer technology, haploidy, flow cytometry and somaclonal variation.

This book reviews how the release of the citrus genome facilitates the investigation of ancestral species, the study of their complex biological features, and the genetic basis of agronomic traits of paramount importance for their sustainable cultivation. The first chapters discuss citrus origin and distribution, and the economic importance and varietal composition of the cultivated species, providing an overview of citrus and related genera genetic resources. The book then describes the role of traditional breeding techniques (for scion and rootstocks) as well as the potential of genomic breeding and innovative protocols for biotechnological approaches. The second part provides essential information on the genus Citrus, the attributes of pure citrus species, genetic admixtures, hybrids and citrus relatives, and on the horticultural classification of cultivated species, varieties and rootstocks. The third part then focuses on the different molecular mechanisms, covering various aspects of citrus biology, including the role of beneficial compounds of citrus fruits. In addition, it examines the molecular responses of citrus to abiotic stresses and to field and post-harvest diseases. Providing insights gained in recent years, it is a valuable guide for those who are interested in gene discovery, comparative genomics, molecular breeding and new breeding techniques. It is particularly useful for scientists, breeders and students at universities and public sector institutes involved in research for the citrus industry.

The Genus Citrus presents the enormous amount of new knowledge that has been generated in recent years on nearly all topics related to citrus. Beginning with an overview of the fundamental principles and understanding of citrus biology and behavior, the book provides a comprehensive view from Citrus evolution to current market importance. Reporting on new insights supported by the elucidation of the citrus genome sequence, it presents groundbreaking theories and fills in previous knowledge gaps. Because citrus is among the most difficult plants to improve through traditional breeding, citrus researchers, institutions and industries must quickly learn to adapt to new developments, knowledge and technologies to address the biological constraints of a unique fruit-tree such as citrus. Despite the challenges of working with citrus, tremendous progress has been made, mostly through advances in molecular biology and genomics. This book is valuable for all those involved with researching and advancing, producing, processing, and delivering citrus products. Includes the most current research on citrus genomic information Provides the first detailed description of citrus origin, a new proposal for citrus taxonomy, and a redefinition of the genus Citrus Details citrus challenges including climate change, global disease impacts, and plant improvement strategies

The full sequence from an isolated protoplast to a normal plant was achieved by the establishment of embryogenic calli and regenerated plant from protoplast into plant flowering in vitro of several species in citrus relatives. This efficient system payes the way for extensive usage of genes of citrus relatives in citrus breeding by cell engineering methods. Characteristics of the in vitro flowering were found in Murraya paniculata and Fortunella hindsii among citrus relatives. The flowering was affected by the manipulation of plant growth regulators, nutrients, and environmental conditions. The traits of precocious flowering under in vitro condition of these species can provide the information on the shortening of juvenile period, which is one of the obstacles in citrus breeding, and these can be used as an alternative procedure to breeding techniques pass through biotechnology to agriculture improvement.

Tree species are indispensable to human needs. Due to their long life cycle and environmental sensitivity, breeding trees for sustainable production is a formidable challenge in order to meet the demands of growing human population and industries. Fruit crops such as apple, cocoa, mango, citrus, litchi, pear, dates, and coconut or industrial crops including rubber and tea, improving yield under the optimal, sub-optimal and marginal areas call for a unified worldwide effort. While the uniqueness of coconut as ‘kalpavriksha’ (Sanskrit - meaning tree of life) makes its presence in every continent from Far East to South America, tree crops such as cocoa, oil palm, rubber, apple, peach and walnut prove their environmental sensitivity towards tropical, subtropical and temperate climates. Date palm is quintessential for desert climate. Thus, from soft drinks to breweries to oil to tires, the value addition offers a spectrum of products to human kind, enriched with nutritional, environmental, financial, and trade related attributes. This volume is a compilation of information on breeding of temperate tree species and provides first hand comprehensive knowledge to research, teach, and make policies.

Citrus is an extensively produced fruit crop and is cultivated predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The Citrus genus consists of a variable number of species due to the admixture of wide morphological diversity, intra- and interspecific sexual compatibility, apomixis, and spontaneous mutations. Citrus fruits are highly nutritious and beneficial for health due to the presence of bioactive compounds that have antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and blood clot-inhibiting characteristics. This book describes the citrus plant and its nutrients, nutritional value, and nutraceutical applications, as well as related biotic and abiotic challenges in its cultivation. Chapters cover such topics as citrus genealogy, production, and crop management; milestones achieved in citrus improvement; importance of weather conditions in cropping systems; effects of changing climate on citrus; and much more.