Genomics Data Analysis For Crop Improvement

This book dispenses a comprehensive coverage of up-to-date account of genomics and genome editing enriched smart plant breeding approaches for enhancing genetic gains in vegetable crops in the post-genomics era. The main focus of the present volume is to illuminate the applications of new techniques evolved in the post-genomics era. The techniques covered are high-throughput sequencing of DNA and RNA, genome editing, epigenetics and epigenomics, genotype by sequencing (GBS), QTL-seq and RNA-seq for transcriptome analysis. Vegetables are the important component of healthy diet, source of energy and hold a promising position in building up a strong immunity. Zero hunger and attaining the food and nutritional security is the top priority of United Nations development goals. Smart breeding of food and vegetable crops to fight the challenges ahead in sustainable manner by keeping the harmony with nature is an important approach to fulfill the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs).

This book emphasizes on cutting-edge next-generation smart plant breeding approaches for maximizing the use of genomic resources generated by high-throughput genomics in the post-genomic era. Through this book the readers would learn about the recent development in the genomic approaches such as genotype by sequencing (GBS) for genomic analysis (SNPs, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism), whole-genome re-sequencing (WGRS) and RNAseq for transcriptomic analysis (DEGs, Differentially Expressed Genes). To maximize the genetic gains in the cereal/food crops, the book covers topics on transgenic breeding, genome editing, high-throughput phenotyping, reliable/precision phenotyping and genomic information-based analysis. In the era of climate change and the ever-increasing population, food security and nutritional security are the primary concern of plant breeders, growers, and policymakers to address the UN’s sustainable development goals. Chapters of this book cohere around these goals and covers techniques such as (QTL mapping, association studies, candidate gene identification), omics, RNAi [through micro RNA (miRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA) and artificial micro RNA (amiRNA)].

This book fully integrates the conventional and biotechnological approaches to fruit crop breeding. Individual chapters are written on a wide variety of species including apple, apricot, blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, cherry, currant, gooseberry, grape, kiwifruit, peach, pear, plum, raspberry and strawberry.