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The present book will make available all relevant information regarding current status of plant genetic resources emerging trends in breeding methodology conventional and non- conventional methods of exploiting heterosis in cross- often cross- and self-fertilized crop species role of breeding techniques in crop improvement achievements and future prospects of biotechnology in crop improvement programmes and patenting of plant materials. This information will help in minimizing the gap between the theoretical yield potential of crop varieties and their yields harvested at farmers fields. One of the main objectives of writing the present book was to describe a number of fascinating techniques which are now being used to provide new opportunities to the plant breeder by considerably reducing the time period of crop improvement programmes. For example the molecular transfer of economically valuable genes to important food and non-food crops offers completely new possibilities of crop improvement and leads to creation of crops with properties which are unachievable by conventional breeding procedures. The present book will be a great facility to the students of plant breeding and related disciplines. About the Author Dr. Sultan Singh born in 1939; secured First division and Third position in M.Sc. (Agriculture) and Distinction in M.Phii examinations earned Ph.D. in Agriculture Botany (Genetics and Plant Breeding); is retired Professor of Plant Breeding CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar; has been Founder Editor-in-Chief of the National Journal of Plant Improvement; has more than 250 publications in journals like Heredity Theoretical and Applied Genetics Journal of Agricultural Science (Cambridge) and other national and international journals; has vast experience of teaching and research (about 38 years) in genetics (particularly biometrical genetics) and plant breeding. Dr. I. S. Pawar born in 1960; a recipient of B.Sc. (Hons.) Ag. Gold Medal M.Sc. (Ag.) Gold Medal M.Sc. (Ag.) Best Thesis Gold Medal ICAR Team Award for outstanding work on wheat in 1997 Best Teacher Award of Department of Plant Breeding CCS HAU Hisar in 2003. He joined CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar as Asstt. Wheat Breeder in 1985 has been associated with development of eight wheat varieties including WH 542 and WH 711 and has published 85 research papers in reputed journals. He has also been involved in teaching of undergraduate as well as postgraduate courses. Currently he is working as Wheat Breeder at CCSHAU Hisar (Haryana) India.