Presented here are modern and classical aspects of cytogenetics as well
as biotechnology in relation to improvement of the Festuca-Lolium group
of grasses. Festuca and its close relative Lolium are very valuable
genera of temperate agriculture. These fascinating genera contain some
highly productive, nutritious, and well-adapted grasses widely used for
agricultural and recreational purposes world wide. The book is
organizedinto 15 chapters devoted to taxonomy and systematics; species
evolution and divergence by increase in chromosome number as well as by
change in DNA content; genetic control of chromosome pairing and its
breeding and phylogenetic implications; B chromosomes, induced
polyploidy and haploidy inrelation to varietal improvement; wide
hybridization, genome relationships, and plant improvement; genomic
balance in relation to hybrid fertility and hererosis breeding;
biotechnology and its potential applications in plant improvement. It is
of special interest to geneticists, taxonomists, evolutionists,
biotechnologists, and plant breeders.