Organic Crop Breeding is divided into two sections: the first section comprises eight chapters on general topics, while the second one is devoted to specific crops: wheat, maize, rice, soybean, faba bean, potato, tomato, brassicas and onions. The editors have done an excellent job in putting together a well-organized and informative book, which covers theory, practice, issues and the latest research. The individual chapters by leading experts are all well written with extensive references to the scientific literature. The book should be of value to anyone interested in plant breeding and crop production systems. The main themes to emerge from the book are as follows: traits of importance for organic crops are ones that contribute to weed suppression; efficient nutrient uptake through root structure, function and beneficial interactions with soil microbes; and resistance to and tolerance of pests and diseases, particularly seed-borne diseases in organic seed production. Selection for higher and stable yields needs to take place on organic farms. Farmer participation produces many locally adapted cultivars and hence maintains cultivar diversity. Genetically heterogeneous cultivars help organic farmers cope with variable abiotic and biotic stresses on their farms. European regulations for cultivar registration and seed certification are not designed to cope with organic cultivars. Organic breeders reject plant-breeding techniques and their products such as genetic transformation, protoplast fusion, microspore culture and embryo rescue, which they consider incompatible with the philosophy and values of the organic movement. Hence, organic breeding is different from but relevant to breeding for sustainable low input agriculture.