Introduction: Crop Wild Relatives in Plant Breeding

Abstract Increase in the food demand and unprecedented level of environmental stresses have created major challenges to ensure global food security. Under such circumstances, wild species of crops serve as a genetic reservoir to improve yield, quality and adaptability of modern cultivars. Previously reported work of the introduction of genes from wild to cultivated species has drawn the attention of plant scientists towards the role of wild species in crop improvement. Contemporary genomic tools can also be exploited to understand the genetic architecture and diversity of crop wild relatives for their efficient use in practical plant breeding. Considering the value of wild genetic resources in sustainable agriculture, numerous worldwide efforts have been made for its preservation. In view of its importance, this chapter is written on a broader prospective to highlight the utilization and conservation of crop wild germplasm.