Developing Sustainable and Health Promoting Cereals and Pseudocereals

Developing Sustainable and Health Promoting Cereals and Pseudocereals: Conventional and Molecular Breeding reviews the most recent available knowledge in the field of cereal and pseudocereal breeding, with particular emphasis on the latest biotechnological techniques which are very likely to lead to breakthrough changes in the field of plant breeding

Cereals and pseudocereals are of increasing interest as the world's population further supports plant-based diets and its consequent demand for raw- and versatile ingredients that can be processed into nutritious and yet affordable foods. The pseudocereals particularly allow the widening of the choice of gluten free products. Simultaneously, the focus on plant breeding for grain crops is undergoing a clear shift from the focus on yield and disease resistance of a decade ago to now address concerns about sustainability, resilience to climate change, and health and nutrition associated benefits. The opportunities of cereal grain are the driving forces for breeders and also for agronomic practices.

Providing comprehensive information on the use of genetic resources or pre-breeding activities to improve health related properties of cereals and pseudocereals to exploring targeted field-management practices to the latest in biotechnological methodologies, the book provides the cohesive overview necessary for understanding the potential impact and benefit of improved production of cereals and pseudocereals. with high-nutritional value (targeted nutritional inputs, organic, low-input cultivation, etc.) The book takes into account the impact of climate change in the form of abiotic and/or biotic stresses on the grain composition of cereals and pseudocereals and also includes new business models in local/regional food systems for farmers and companies, based on multi-actor approach, recognizing the importance of healthy cereals in the market and consumers' acceptance of non-conventional breeding.

Additionally the book provides a useful future outlook of the cereals, pseudocereals and plant breeding that will prove valuable for researchers and producers seeking to improve global food and nutrition security.