Wheat: Production, Protection and Improvement

Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. Origin and evolution of wheat. 3. Botanical description of wheat. 4. Agronomic requirements for cultivation of wheat. 5. Soil and climatic requirements for wheat cultivation. 6. Major pathogens and their jeopardy in wheat cultivation. 7. Major insect-pests and their jeopardy in wheat cultivation. 8. IPM for major insect-pests of wheat. 9. Previous studies on wheat improvement. 10. Wheat breeding methods. 11. Bio-fortification of wheat. 12. Seed production technology of wheat. Conclusion. Bibliography.

Wheat is considered as one key staple food crop in numerous parts of the globe. Like many other cereal crops, wheat is also affected by several biotic factors. Of these, entomological and pathological damages are the most worrying. Mineral elements have their crucial engagements in various mechanisms of the biological system, which may be physiological and/or biochemical. However, most of the wheat cultivars are micronutrient-deficit. To combat the worldwide malnutrition evil and related health hazards, bio-fortification is now considered to be the approach with the most proficiency and cost-effectiveness. This book provides a good deal of currently available information on origin, evaluation and botanical classification of wheat crop along with various agronomic, edaphic and climatic requirements for its cultivation. The book gives clear vision on present scenario regarding numerous devastating insect-pests and pathogens that attack this cereal including their management tactics. The book also gives brief idea regarding wheat seed production techniques, breeding and bio-fortification strategies with some previous studies for improvement of this significant cereal.