Genomic Designing for Biotic Stress Resistant Fruit Crops

This book discusses the molecular and genomic mechanisms underlying the interactions of crop plants with biotic stresses, such as insects, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and oomycetes, and presents advanced genetic and genomic crop improvement strategies for developing resistant varieties. It covers whole genome sequencing, genotyping-by-sequencing, gene discovery, allele mining, and genome editing, with case studies on specific genes for generating disease and insect-resistant crops.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 19 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate molecular and genomic mechanisms underlying the interactions between crop plants and the diverse range of biotic stresses caused by insects, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and oomycetes, among others. It is of utmost importance to develop resilient crop varieties to combat these stresses effectively. Acquiring knowledge on advanced genetic and genomic crop improvement strategies, such as molecular breeding, transgenics, genomic-assisted breeding, and the recently emerged genome editing, is crucial for addressing the multifaceted challenges of food, health, nutrition, energy, and environment (FPNEE) security.

Whole genome sequencing of these crops, followed by genotyping-by-sequencing, has provided precise information about the genes conferring resistance, which is invaluable for gene discovery, allele mining, and shuttle breeding. These techniques have expanded the possibilities for designing crop genomes with built-in resistance to biotic stresses.

The nine chapters in this volume, each dedicated to a specific fruit crop, explore various types of biotic stress agents and their impact on and interaction with the crop plants. They enumerate the available genetic diversity with regard to biotic stress resistance among available cultivars, highlighting the potential gene pools that can be utilized for interspecific gene transfer. The book also provides a brief overview of classical genetics of stress resistance and traditional breeding for biotic stress resistance, showcasing successful examples of genetic engineering in developing resilient varieties.

Molecular mapping of genes and QTLs underlying biotic stress resistance has been instrumental in identifying the genetic basis for these traits. Marker-assisted introgression into elite varieties has facilitated the rapid transfer of these beneficial genes, leading to the development of biotic stress-resistant crop varieties.

In addition to these established techniques, emerging genomics-aided techniques, such as genomic selection, allele mining, gene discovery, and gene pyramiding, are being utilized to develop resistant crop varieties. Genomic selection utilizes large-scale genomic data to identify individuals with superior genetic backgrounds for biotic stress resistance, while allele mining identifies genetic variants associated with stress tolerance. Gene discovery involves the identification of new genes involved in stress response, and gene pyramiding combines multiple resistance genes into a single crop variety to enhance overall resistance.

By leveraging these advanced genomics-aided techniques, researchers and breeders can expedite the process of developing resilient crop varieties that can withstand the challenges posed by biotic stresses, ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural practices in the face of changing environmental conditions.

Weight: 776g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030918019
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022