The content of this book covers a range of topics, including the biodiversity of vegetable crops, the effective management of plant genetic resources through the use of core collections, the collection, characterization, and conservation of indigenous germplasm, in-situ conservation techniques, intellectual property rights in relation to germplasm management, the bio safety issues and regulation of genetically modified crops, the application of bioinformatics tools in the analysis of biodiversity, and biochemical characterization and tolerance mechanisms in response to cold stress.

The editors and authors have endeavored to present the information and recent developments on these chapters in a clear and concise manner.

Biswanath Sahoo, Scientist (Horticulture) Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubneshwar 751 003, Odisha, India

Pinaki Acharayya: Professor and Head, Department of Horticulture, University of Kolkatta, Kolkatta, West Bengal 700 073,India

1. Biodiversity of Vegetable Crops, 2 Concept and Applications of Core Collection in the Efficient Management of Plant Genetic Resources, 3. Collection, Characterization and Conservation of  Indigenous Germplasm of Vegetable Crops, 4. In-situ Conservation Approaches for Germplasm of Vegetable Crops,  5. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Management of Plant Genetic Resources, 6 Impact of Genetically Modified Crop on Biodiversity and Environment: Bio Safety issues and regulation, 7.Diversity Analysis through Bioinformatics, 8. Importance of Biochemical Characterization in Vegetable Crop Improvement, 9. Response of Cold Stress to Tolerance Mechanism