Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Crop Plants - An Overview

Adv Plants Agric Res 2017, 7(3): 00255 crop varieties will be an arduous task. Breaking yield barriers will become difficult and plant breeders will be unable to meet the requirements arising out of ever-increasing demand on account of exploding population. Genetic diversity becomes more important in context of climatic change and associated unforeseen events as it may serve as the reservoir of many novel traits conferring tolerance to different biotic and abiotic stresses. Genetic diversity is the underlying cause of many important agriculturally important phenomena like heterosis and transgressive segregation. Diverse lines are needed for defect correction of commercial varieties and development of novel varieties. Hence, identification of diverse lines (if available), creation of diversity (if not available or limited) and its subsequent utilization are the major goals of any crop improvement programmes. In this context, knowledge on all aspects of genetic diversity viz., factors affecting genetic diversity, different methods of diversity analysis, their measurement and the softwares for carrying statistical analysis becomes imperative in order to utilize them prudently. Many reviews have been written focusing on vital issues like changes in genetic diversity under plant breeding [1], genetic vulnerability of modern crop cultivars [2], conservation and utilization of genetic resources [3,4] assessment of genetic diversity using molecular markers [5] and measurement of genetic diversity using statistical tools [6-8]. In the present review, an attempt is being made for comprehensive compilation of overall concepts in the area of genetic diversity, which could be of immense significance for extending knowledge and meaningful research.