Introductory Chapter: Assessment and Conservation of Genetic Diversity in Plant Species

Abstract

Genetic diversity is the raw material that helps plant species face a wide range of daily global changes [1, 2]. It also represents the number of alternations in the genetic makeup of populations and species, which take place under various evolutionary mechanisms such as genetic drift that involves random matings of individuals within the same population , changing their allele frequencies, and founder effect that causes individuals with new genetic information leading to a new population developed from a larger one [1-3]. Genetic composition of individuals varies from one population to another due to systematic differences that emerge among individuals from different places promoting their survival and reproduction. Genetic diversity becomes more potent and quick when gene flow among populations is little such as restricted dispersal of seeds or pollens [2, 3]. Plant breeders are able to develop large amount of new productive crops that are of improved tolerance to a variety of diseases and pests as well as its enhanced ability to stand against a changing world. This depends on the volume and range of genetic variation among individuals within the same species, which allows for designing sampling programs [2, 4-6]. Accordingly, geneticists have focused on evaluating genetic differences within populations using morphological, cytological, biochemical, and molecular markers to identify the characteristics of domestication, propagation, and breeding techniques as well as conservation of plant genetic materials [2]. This work addresses various approaches related to genetic diversity in plants.