Crop Improvement II (Rabi crops)

The book “Crop Improvement-II (Rabi crops)” has been prepared for SAUs as per Fifth Dean’s Committee, ICAR, recommendations to foster the interest in breeding of rabi crop plants. This book concentrates on floral biology, selfing and crossing techniques, breeding objectives, breeding methods with improved / hybrid varieties and maintenance breeding. Chapters 1-3 deal with cereals include wheat, barley and oats. Chapters 4-7 deal with pulses include chickpea, field pea, lentil and french bean, while oilseed crops include mustard, sunflower and safflower in Chapters 8-10. Chapters 11 to 16 include vegetables crops viz., potato, brinjal, chilli, tomato, onion and garlic. Cumin and coriander (Spice crops), sugarcane (cash crop) and lucerne (forage crop) are contain in chapters 17 & 18, 19 and 20, respectively. Chapter 21 comprise with maintenance breeding of self and cross-pollinated crops varieties/ hybrids. At the end of each chapter, supplementary questions as well as multiple choice questions have also been given covering entire topic. This book will serve as a text book for graduate students.…