Section I introductory topics –
1. Introduction to methodology –
Strategy versus tactics –
Examples of methodology use –
Combination breeding methods –
References –
2. Genetic engineering and the future –
What has brought us to this transition period? –
What is genetic engineering? –
References –
Section II breeding and selection methods –
3. Primary methods shaped by historical usage-a preamble –
References –
4. The mass selection method –
Examples of the mass selection method –
Discussion of mass selection –
References –
5. Pedigree and F2-derived family methods –
Examples of the pedigree and F2-derived family methods –
Discussion of pedigree selection –
References –
6. Backcross method –
Early use of the backcross –
Briggs in forefront of backcross development –
Ongoing research solidifies backcross status –
Recent advances in backcross use –
Use of backcross in introgression of exotic germ plasm –
Stability and the backcross method –
"Near-isogenic" lines are real –
Discussion of the backcross method –
References –
7. Methods shaped by competitive forces –
The role of competition –
The nature of competition –
Mixture effects of competition –
Density, compensation, and seed size relationships –
Relation of selection method to generation and density –
Measuring the effects of competition –
Competitive ability ad in inherited trait –
Effects on disease resistance –
The effect of morphology (leaf angle effect) –
How to avoid competition –
References –
8. Composite methods - a preamble –
Harlan and Martini's early pioneering research –
Research papers on composites –
The problem and solution in perspective –
References –
9. Bulk population breeding method –
Florell's landmark paper –
Early history and later development –
Breeders' experiences with the bulk population method –
Modifications to the bulk population method –
Thoughts on the time line –
Comments on the bulk method –
References –
10. Evolutionary plant breeding –
References –
11. Synthetic line populations - a preamble –
Multiline and multiblend varieties are not the same –
Disease protection - a powerful stimulus –
General information on mixtures –
Genetic diversity and stability play a part –
Alternatives to pure line varieties proposed –
References –
12. The multiblend variety –
Blends have along history –
Concluding remarks –
References –
13. The multiline method –
Background developments that led to the multiline –
Later developments and modifications –
Structural and dynamic aspects of the multiline –
Stability in the multiline –
Results of research with mixed populations –
Disease protection a major feature of multilines –
The Iowa experience with oat multilines –
Author's comments on the multiline variety –
References –
14. Methods shaped by recurrent forces –
The role of intermating and linkage –
Alternatives to and modifications of intermating –
Male sterility and random versus nonrandom mating –
References –
15. The recurrent selection method –
History and early development –
Procedures and uses of recurrent selection –
Procedures are adaptable to self-pollinated crops –
Relation to male sterility and MSFRS –
References –
16. Diallel selective mating method –
References –
17. Genetic male sterility –
References –
18. Male sterile facilitated recurrent selection method –
References –
19. Methods shaped by requirements of techniques –
Mutation or radiation breeding method –
Mutation breeding: limited development in the United States –
References –
20. Heterosis and commercial hybrids –
Theoretical aspects of heterosis –
Measurement of hybrid vigor –
Commercial hybrid varieties –
References –
21. The single seed descent method –
Origin and modifications –
Comparisons of SSD with other methods –
Among-line and within-line variances –
Effect of SSD on plant characters –
Ways in which SSD has been used –
Discussion of single seed descent –
References –
22. Doubled haploid method –
References –
23. Issues in selection - a preamble –
Assumptions –
Components of yield –
Selection strategies –
Searching for locks and keys –
References –
24. Visual selection –
Characteristics of visual selection-how it works –
The influence of the selector –
Efficiency of visual selection –
Visual selection particularly effective for discard –
Discussion of visual selection –
References –
25. Selection indices –
Early research and development –
Research on the nature of index selection –
Modal selection –
The role and importance of assumptions –
Applications of index selection –
References –
26. Harvest index –
Origin and historical background –
Developments related to harvest index –
Selection, stability, and inheritance relations –
Influence of density on harvest index –
General studies of harvest index –
General studies of harvest index –
References –
27. Stability –
Stability: models and meanings –
Environmental aspects of stability –
Relationships to crosses and population structure –
Author's comments on stability –
References –
Section IV germ plasm and crossing considerations –
28. Germ plasm: choosing cross quality level –
Germ plasm considerations –
The geneology of germ plasm –
Choosing cross quality level –
The arrangement of parents in crosses –
The high-low aspect affecting cross quality level –
The genetic diversity of the parents –
Yield considerations affecting cross quality level –
References –
29. Predicting and choosing parents –
Early landmark cases –
The use of cross-pollinating techniques –
Diallel evaluation tests –
Ancestral records and tests of relatedness –
The parent as indicator of prepotency –
Alternative concepts of measuring prepotency –
Genetic diversity, wide crosses, and introgression –
Comments –
References –
30. Predicting and choosing crosses and lines –
Early studies of determining relative values of crosses –
The use of diallel analysis in evaluating crosses –
Other approaches to prediction –
Discussion of predicting and choosing among crosses –
Predicting and selecting lines –
References –
31. Hybridizing or crossing techniques –
Sterility and the nature of natural crossing –
Pollen characteristics and production–
Extent of natural crossing –
Crossing techniques and seed set –
Handling pedigrees and population nubers –
References –
Section V plant traits of special relevance –
32. Seed characteristics –
Influence of size –
Discussion of seed size effect –
Seed origin: production source effect –
Germination and seedling vigor –
Seed quality: yield and protein relationships –
References –
33. Morphological and other traits –
Height relationships –
Awns –
Discussion of awns –
Roots –
References –
Section VI project management –
34. The four stages of the plant breeding process –
Stage I-planning and hybridization –
Stage II-early generation (selection) –
Stage III-line evaluation –
Stage IV-variety release –
References –
35. Minimum staff plant breeding –
A minimum staff breeding program –
Discussion –
References –
36. Choosing sites and environment –
Selection under different environments –
Genotype x environment –
Discussion of genotype x environment interactions –
Clustering –
Date of seedling –
Summing up –
References –
37. Field organization and operations –
Nursery plots: size, shape, designs, and replications –
Rod row and miniature head-hill plots –
Border plots –
Population and group sizes and numbers –
Control or check varieties –
Moving means or averages –
Collecting and expressing data –
Seed increase and variety release –
References –
38. "101 ways" to enrich your breeding program.

"This book is about the methodology of plant breeding and selection."
- Preface