Bringing together experts from across the globe, Model Plants and Crop Improvement provides a critical assessment of the potential of model plant species for crop improvement. The first comprehensive summary of the use of model plant systems, the book delineates the model species'' contribution to understanding the genomes of crop species. It provides an in-depth examination of the achievements and limitations of the model paradigm and explores how continued research in models can contribute to the goal of delivering the outputs of molecular biology to crops. This timely volume is the first comprehensive summary for studying the development of plant species of particular agricultural significance.