Kenneth Kasha - Böcker

This publication contains the results of an FAO/IAEA co-ordinated research project (CRP) on radiation induced mutations and other advanced technologies for the production of crop mutants suitable for environmentally sustainable agriculture. Induced mutation techniques and other biotechnological approaches are major tools for creating variability and selection of stress-resistant or tolerant genotypes. Additionally, scientists have become intensely interested in mutations as a means to widen and deepen our understanding of genome structure and gene function. Among the many potential biotechnologies, in vitro culture and molecular markers seem most appropriate for developing countries. Arising from the diversity of research objectives and strategies, the outcomes of the project are fundamentally twofold. First, a number of biotechnologies were developed and validated in association with the use of mutants to understand the genetics of specific plant traits; and second, a number of mutants were developed with beneficial characteristics and which have significant long-term potential to contribute to sustainable agriculture.

This manual presents a set of protocols for production of doubled haploids (DH) in 22 major crop plant species including four tree species. It contains various protocols and approaches of DH production proven for different germplasm of the same species. The protocols describe in detail all steps of DH production - from donor plants growth conditions, through in vitro procedures, media composition and preparation, to regeneration of haploid plants and chromosome doubling methods. The users of this manual will be able to choose among microspore versus anther cultures, wide hybridisation or gynogenesis, the most suitable method for production of DH in particular laboratory conditions for their plant material. Numerous colour illustrations should help in this decision. The user will also find information on organization of a doubled haploid laboratory, basic DH media and on associated simple cytogenetic methods for ploidy level analysis. The practical protocols are supplemented with the list of published DH protocols for other crop plants and separate chapters dealing with major applications of DH in breeding, mutant production, transgenesis, and genetic mapping and genomics.The book was prepared by the Plant Breeding and Genetics Section of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture in close co-operation with the EU program "COST 851" on "Gametic cells and molecular breeding for crop improvement".

This publication contains the results of an FAO/IAEA Co-ordinated Research Project (CRP) on Radiation Induced Mutations and Other Advanced Technologies for the Production of Crop Mutants Suitable for Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture. Induced mutation techniques and other biotechnological approaches are major tools for creating variability and selection of stress-resistant or tolerant genotypes. Additionally, scientists have become intensely interested in mutations as a means to widen and deepen our understanding of genome structure and gene function.