Evolution of selected crop plants

Abstract

The evolution of plants under domestication is unique in the general fields of plant evolution for many reasons: because it is a comparatively recent event, because the original plant material, i.e. the wild progenitors of many important crop plants still grow in their natural habitats and because man has played a major role in this process. This important book covers the major aspects of this fascinating subject. Contents include coverage of the origin of agriculture, increasing and decreasing diversity and speciation under domestication, and the evolution of weeds and important selected crops. The final chapter of the book is devoted to sources of genetic diversity for future crop plant evolution and looks at how vitally important wild genetic resources can be effectively collected and preserved. Plant Evolution under Domestication is an extremely valuable reference source for upper level students and professionals in the areas of plant sciences and agriculture, plant breeding, crop evolution, ethnobotany and related subjects. It should be on the shelves of all those researching and working in this area and in all libraries of plant science and agriculture departments and institutes throughout the world.