Chapters authored
Seed Dormancy: Induction, Maintenance and Seed Technology Approaches to Break Dormancy
Dormancy is the major cause of erratic germination, patchy emergence and uneven seedling establishment in the field. These traits are exceedingly undesirable in crop production as future phases of growth and development are strongly linked to uniform seedling development at early growth phases. Variations in maturation time, and difficulty in managing abiotic and biotic stresses during pre- and postharvest are common consequences of uneven germination and seedling emergence. Minimizing this negative impact of dormancy in a seed lot is the major concern of all seed production companies. Generally, mature seeds show some considerable dormancy during which embryo growth is halted momentarily because one or more internal and external stimuli for growth resumption is/are absent. If the inhibition of seed germination is solely due to insufficient or complete absence of external signals, then the seed is in a state of quiescence. Otherwise, if linked to internal factors, then the seed is in a state of dormancy. Induction, maintenance, and release of dormancy are therefore related to Seed-dependent factors such as morphology, hormones, state of embryo maturity at seed dispersal and chemical inhibitors. This chapter focuses on species-dependent methods currently used to break dormancy, reduce germination time and improve emergence and seedling establishment.
Part of the book: Seed Biology Updates
Gamma Ray Induced Mutagenesis for Crop Improvement: Applications, Advancements, and Challenges
Gamma ray induced mutagenesis is a powerful tool for crop improvement that has been used for decades to generate genetic variability in crops. This method has advantages over other mutagenic agents due to its high penetrance and ability to induce a large number of mutations in a single treatment. Recent advancements in high-throughput screening techniques and molecular marker analysis have facilitated the identification and characterization of beneficial traits resulting from gamma ray induced mutagenesis. However, there are also challenges associated with this method, such as the need to balance trait improvements with potential negative effects on crop yield or quality, ethical considerations, safety measures, and considerations for climate-smart agriculture. This chapter provides an overview of the historical background and principles of gamma ray induced mutagenesis, its applications in crop improvement and climate-smart agriculture, recent advancements, challenges, and future directions. The chapter highlights the potential of gamma ray induced mutagenesis for generating new genetic variation in crops and its potential role in addressing global food security and climate change challenges.
Part of the book: Gamma Rays - Current Insights