The modern plant breeding methods have their bases in the genetic and cytogenetic principles. The science of genetic began with rediscovery of Gregor J. Mendel’s paper in 1900, which was originally published in 1866. Mendel’s laws of inheritance provided the foundation for the vast knowledge that has, since then, accumulated in genetics. Numerous workers who determined the various modes of inheritance have contributed to the development and understanding of plant breeding. The totipotancy of plant somatic and gametic cells allows regeneration of complete plants from single cells. This, coupled with development of recombinant DNA technology, has enabled the transfer of desirable genes from any organism into plants. Crop varieties developed in this manner are already in cultivation in several countries, primarily U.S.A. and world acreage under them is increasing at a very rapid rate. These exciting developments are expected to become increasingly important with time. The main objectives of the book may be summarised as follows: Higher Yields, mproved Quality, Disease and Insect Resistance, Change in Maturity Duration, Agronomic Characteristics, Oilseeds : Major breeding procedures, Fruit Crops: Major Breeding Procedures, Seed Multiplication and Release of a Variety and soon.

Dr. B.S. Jamwal, Chief Scientist-cum-Professor (Plant Breeding & Genetics) & In-charge Pulses Research Sub-Station, Samba, SKUAST-Jammu. He did his M.Sc (Agriculture) from SKUAST, Srinagar & Ph.D. in Plant Breeding & Genetics from SKUAST-Jammu. He is working as P.I., AICRP on Chickpea, Sub-Centre, Samba. He has vast research experience of past four decades in different pulse crops maize and wheat crops and was associated with seed production activities and is presently working as Nodal Officer, Pulses Seed Hub Project of SKUAST-Jammu and actively engaged in research of Chickpea and other MULLaRP crops. He has also more than one decade of teaching experience and has guided many post graduate students of Plant Breeding. He has many research publications in his credit. Dr. Mohd. Suhail, presently working as Scientist (Horticulture) at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Lakhimpur-Kheri (U.P) of C.S.A.U.A. & T., Kanpur from 2001. He did his B.Sc. (Ag. & A.H) and M.Sc in Horticulture from C.S.A.U.A. & T., Kanpur (U.P.) and got merit scholarship. Ph.D. from Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad (U.P.) and also received senior research fellowship from C.S.I.R., New Delhi and also qualified NET from ICAR. There after join as J.R.A. (Hort.) at Directorate of Horticulture, Lucknow (U.P.) during 1998-2001. He has more than 17 years experience to disseminate Scientific Technologies in the field of Horticulture and Agriculture. He has published 20 research abstracts and 8 articles and 3 books namely Masala Faslo Ka Utpadan, Shak Bhaji Utpadan Tacneec and Jal Sanghran Kshetra Ke liye Tikao avam Unnat Krishi, 13 annual action plans and annual progress report of K.V.K. Dr. Manish Bakshi, presently working as Asstt. Professor, Department of Horticulture, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab has completed Masters in Horticulture from Allahabad Agricultural Institute Deemed University, Allahabad and doctorate in Fruit Science in 2016 from the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu. He is a recipient of University Merit Scholarship during the Doctoral Degree programme. He has qualified National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by ASRB, ICAR in 2016. He has to his credit 12 publications, extension booklets, manuals, folders, pamphlets, popular articles and has authored a book. He has been associated with four externally funded projects at SKUAST-Jammu.