Statistical And Biometrical Techniques In Plant Breeding By Jawahar R Sharmapdf //top\\ Jun 2026
In the field of agricultural sciences, plant breeding stands as a cornerstone for ensuring global food security. The transition of plant breeding from a selection-based art to a data-driven science is largely due to the integration of quantitative genetics and biometrics. Among the foundational literature that has shaped this transition, Statistical and Biometrical Techniques in Plant Breeding by Jawahar R. Sharma remains a seminal textbook for students, researchers, and breeders alike.
Plant breeding deals with two types of traits: qualitative and quantitative. While qualitative traits (like flower color) are governed by one or few genes and show discrete variation, the most economically important traits (like grain yield, drought tolerance, and plant height) are quantitative. Quantitative traits are: Controlled by multiple genes (polygenic inheritance). Highly influenced by environmental factors. Continuous in their distribution.
Traits do not exist in isolation; altering one trait often impacts others. Correlation Coefficients In the field of agricultural sciences, plant breeding
Biometry is the application of statistical methods to biological data. In plant breeding, biometrical techniques are used to analyze the data on various traits, such as plant height, grain yield, and disease resistance. Some of the common biometrical techniques used in plant breeding include:
Estimating how much genetic progress can be made in future generations. Sharma remains a seminal textbook for students, researchers,
To ensure you are looking at the right book, check these details:
Dr. Jawahar R. Sharma earned his Ph.D. from Kanpur University while working at the . With over 15 years of experience at IARI and later at CIMAP (Lucknow) , he became an authority on crop improvement and the genetic upgradation of medicinal and aromatic plants. Genetic Diversity Analysis: Statistical Approaches which determines the response to selection.
Heritability estimates the proportion of total phenotypic variance that is due to genetic differences. Broad-sense Heritability ( hbs2h sub b s end-sub squared
An in-depth review in the Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding pointed out some potential issues for the attentive reader:
The book explains how to separate (which responds well to selection) from non-additive variance (dominance and epistasis, which are ideal for hybrid production). Knowing this distinction helps breeders choose the right breeding strategy, such as pedigree selection versus hybrid production. Optimizing Selection Efficiency
): The component of variance due solely to additive gene effects, which determines the response to selection.
