Breeding for Resistance to Diseases and Insect Pests

The object of this book is to provide insight into the principles of disease and insect-pest resistance and to elaborate the resistance breeding practices with specific examples from as many different crops and parasites as possible. It is assumed that the readers are already in possession of some knowledge of plant pathogens and insect pests and their genetics from standard courses and text books. The book can be used for teaching an advanced course on the subject, such as in university lectures to graduate students. In addition, it should be useful as a reference book to plant pathologists, entomologists and plant breeders engaged in developing varieties resistant to harmful para­ sites. I wish to express my sincere thanks to Dr. B.D. Singh, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, Dr. D. Sharma and Dr. S. Dwivedi, ICRISAT, Hyderabad, India; Dr. I.S. Singh and Dr. A.K. Bhattacharya, G.B. Pant Uni­ versity of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India, who made comments on some sections of the book. Thanks are also due to Dr. D.N. Chaudhary, Dr. R.P.S. Verma and Mr. K.R. Reddy, who have given valuable help in one way or another in the publica­ tion of this book. I express my sincere thanks to Professor 1.S. Nanda, Ex­ Professor Plant Breeding in G.B.Pant University of Agriculture and Techno­ logy, Pantnagar, India for inspiring me to write this book. However, respon­ sibility for errors and misinterpretations is entirely mine.