Plant breeding is the art and science of changing the genetics of plants for the benefit of humankind. A major goal of plant breeders is to select genotypes with stable and high performing phenotypes across environments. However, a selected genotype often performs differently across environments. This book presents a comprehensive review of various stability analysis methods and their application in plant breeding for selection of stable and high performing genotypes. Additionally, efficient methods to produce doubled haploid plants and to provide embryogenic suitable haploid cells systems are needed for future genetic manipulations and breeding in bread and durum wheat. This book describes a new stress in durum wheat, for its effectiveness to induce embryogenesis and regeneration plants. Along with its implications for plant selection, the methods used for dose-response variation are also explored, as well as the relationship between genetic variation and changes in dose-response behaviour. Other chapters in this book discuss the breeding strategy of self-incompatibility, an evolutionary force to preserve genetic variability in plants, the pros and cons of marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding along with its future prospects, and the use of Joint Regression Analysis (JRA) in the management of plant breeding programs.

This book describes how genomics has revolutionized our understanding of agriculturally important plant-associated fungi. It illustrates some fundamental discoveries about these eukaryotic microbes with regard to the overall structure of their genomes, their lifestyles and the molecular mechanisms that form the basis of their interactions with plants. Genomics has provided new insights into fungal lifestyles and led to practical advances in plant breeding and crop protection, such as predictions about the spread and evolution of new pathogens. This volume focuses on fungi that are important cereal and other monocot plant pathogens and includes: Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, Cochliobolus sp., Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium graminearum, Mycosphaerella graminicola and Mycosphaerella fijiensis, Magnaporthe oryzae, Blumeria graminis and Puccinia graminis.

Linking the past, present and future of Colletotrichum systematics; The importance of phylogeny in understanding host relationships within Colletotrichum; Genetic regulation of sexual compatibility in Glomerella graminicola; Vegetative compatibility in Colletotrichum; Dissecting the cell biology of Colletotrichum infection processes; Early molecular communication between Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and its host; Regulation of melanin biosynthesis genes during appressorium formation by Colletotrichum lagenarium; Colletotrichum as a model system for defining the genetic basis of fungal symbiotic life styles; Genetic diversity and host specificity of Colletotrichum species on various fruits; Inter- and intra-species variation in Colletotrichum and mechanism which affect population structure; Gene transfer and expression in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing anthracnose on Stylosanthes;The endopolygalacturonases of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum: Molecular characterization, gene expression, and elicitor activity; Signal exchange during Colletotrichum trifolii-alfalfa interactions; Resistance mechanisms of subtropical fruits to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides; Colletotrochum strains for weed control; Potential for biological controI of diseases caused by Colletotrichum; Colletotrichum diseases of strawberries in Florida; Biology and controI of anthracnose diseases of citrus; Occurrence and management of anthracnose epidemics cause Colletotrichum species on tree fruit crops in California; Recent advances in understanding Colletotrichum diseases of some tropical perennial crops; Host-pathogen interaction and viability of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum; Colletotrichum coccodes on potato; The biology of Colletotrichum graminicola and maize anthracnose.;