Preface to the Series "Plant Genome" -- Preface to this Volume -- Contents -- List of Contributors -- Chapter 1: Evolution and Phylogeny of Cycads -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Secondary Metabolities in Cycads -- Molecular Phylogeny of Cycads -- Phylogenetic Position of Cycadophyta -- Phylogenetic Structure within the Cycadophyta -- Phylogenetic Relationships within the Genus Encephalartos -- Molecular Clock: Age Estimate of Cycad Speciation -- Acknowledgement -- References -- Chapter 2: Molecular Variability and Diversity of Mediterranean Pines: Pinus halepensis Mill. and Pinus brutia Ten. -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Genome Organization of Conifer -- Molecular polymorphism -- Differences in P.Halepensis and P.Brutia as Examples in the Evolutionary History of Mediterranean Pines -- Genetic Alterations as Adaptation to Environmental Changes -- Environmental effects on Adaptive Genetic Variation in Pinus Halepensis -- DIversity Between Circum-Mediterranean -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgement -- References -- Chapter 3: Survey of Genetic Diversity and Phylogenic Relationships in Tunisian Date-palms (Phoenix dactylifera L. by Molecular Methods -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Materials and Methods -- Plant Material -- DNA Preparation -- Primers and RAPD Assays -- Primers and ISSR Assays -- SSR Genotyping -- Data Analysis -- Establishment of the Cultivars' Identification Key -- Results -- Cultivars' Identification Key -- Genetic Diversity Analysis as Inferred by RAPDs -- Phylogenic Relationships as Revealed by RAPD Data -- Genetic Diversity as Inferred by ISSRs -- Phylogenic Relationships as Revealed by ISSR Data -- Genetic Diversity and Phylogenic Relationships as Inferred by Combined RAPD and ISSR Data -- Genetic diversity as Inferred by SSR Data -- Phylogenetic Relationships as Revealed by Microsatellite Markers -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgement.

References -- Chapter 4: Oil Palm -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Botanical Classification and Phylogeny -- Palms -- The Elaeidinae -- Elaeis guineensis-the African oil palm -- Geographical Distribution -- Biology of Oil Palm -- Inflorescence, flower and fruit structure -- Oil Palm Products -- Palm oil based oleochemicals, diesel and biodegradable plastics -- Other products from oil palm -- Oil Palm Crop Improvement -- Advances in the crop improvement of oil palm -- Molecular Markers in Oil Palm Breeding -- Fingerprinting and linkage studies -- Potential applications of markers-simple traits -- Potential applications of markers-complex traits -- Potential applications of markers-disease resistance -- Genome Organization -- BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) libraries -- Uses fo Conserved Synteny -- Vegetative Propagation of Oil Palm -- Transformation Technology -- Conclusiton -- The future of genetic improvement in oil palm -- Molecular genetics -- Models and comparative genetics -- Transgenics and tissue culture -- References -- Chapter 5: Genome Complexity of Allium -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Species Hybridization -- Biochemical and Molecular Approaches for Classification -- DNA Content in ALLIUM -- Molecular Marker Systems -- Isozyme Analysis -- DNA Analysis -- Cytogenetic Chromosomal Analyses -- Chemotaxonomic Relationships -- Chemical Constituents -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgement -- References -- Chatper 6: Molecular Phylogenetics of Chinese Cymbidium (Orchidaceae) Based on nrITS Sequence and RAPD Data -- Abstract -- Introduction-Distribution Patterns -- The Traditional Taxonomy in Cymbidium -- Analysis of Phylogenetic Relationships in Cymbidium (Orchidaceae) Based in nrITS Sequence Data -- Relationship Between Species, Cultivars of Cymbidium Based on RAPD Data -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgement -- References.

Chapter 7: Genome Evolution and Population Biology in the Orchidaceae -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Chromosome Evolution -- General Aspects -- Genome SIze Evolution -- Evolution by Allopolyploidy -- Molecular Evolution and Phylogeny -- Descriptive Knowledge of Orchid Genome at the Nucleotide Sequence Level -- Phylogenetic Structure of Orchidaceae -- Molecular Markers and Population Biology in Orchids -- Population Biology studies in Terrestrial Orchids -- Population Biology Studies in Epiphytic and Lithophytic Orchids -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgement -- References -- Chapter 8: Karyological Evolution of the Genus Luzula DC. (Juncaceae) -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Cytological Character of the Genus Luzula -- Karyology of the Genus Luzula -- Agmatoploidy -- Agmatoploidy and Polyploidy -- Symploidy -- Origin of the Chromosome Variability in the Genus Luzula -- Acknowledgement -- References -- Chapter 9: Phylogenetic Relationships and Systematics in Genus Bromus (Poaceae) -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Section Genea -- Section Bromus -- Section Pnigma -- Section Ceratochloa -- Acknowledgement -- References -- Chapter 10: Phylogeny and Evolution of Festuca L. and Related Genera of SUbtribe Loliinae (Poeae, Poaceae) -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Classical and Modern Circumscriptions of the Festucoids -- Conflicts and Concerts Between Molecules and Morphology in the Lolinae -- Speciation and Evolutionary Trends in Loliinae: C-Values, Karyotype Evolution, Hybridization and Polyploidy -- Evolutionary Rates Across the Festucoids -- Biogeographical and Phylogeographical Patterns of Festucoid Lineages -- Biogeography -- Phylogeography -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgement -- References -- Chapter 11: Molecular Genetic and Cytogenetic Evidences Supporting the Genome Relationships of the Genus Avena -- Abstract -- Introduction -- OAT Genomes: An Overview.

Genome DIfferentiation Among Diploid Species -- Genome Differentiation Among Tetraploid Species -- Genome DIfferentiation Among Hexaploid Species -- Putative Progenitors of the Hexaploid Genomes -- Acknowledgement -- References -- Author Index -- Detailed Contents.