Reviews in plant cytogenetics (2008) Reprint of: Cytogenetic and Genome Research 2008, Vol. 120, No. 3-4

Chromosomes represent the main focus of cytogenetics. One of the main challenges of modern-day cytogenetics is to unravel the relation between the genomic content and architecture of chromosomes and their genetic function. Plant species have provided an important contribution to the knowledge of chromosome evolution, and those with large chromosomes have often been used in the study of chromosome behavior. The rapid development of molecular tools in the last few years has greatly furthered advances in elucidating the organization, behavior and evolution of chromosomes. This special issue of Cytogenetic and Genome Research presents an excellent compilation of current research in plant cytogenetics. In a series of review articles experts in the field explain and discuss the organization of chromosomes and the impact of new technologies, the organization and evolution of sex chromosomes and B chromosomes, recent advances in meiosis, and different aspects of chromosome evolution and plant breeding. Providing an excellent update, this book is recommended to researchers, teachers and students in genetics, plant biology and agronomy.