Book excerpt: The book contains the proceedings of the Fifth International Wheat Conference at which leading international scientists reviewed current research issues and developments in wheat improvement. The debated topics cover breeding and genetics, genetic resources and importance of free germplasm exchange, breeding for biotic and abiotic stresses, physiology, agronomy and mineral nutrition, grain quality and biotechnology. A significant number of presentations were made by participants from the former USSR and Eastern and Central Europe, making this book also a prime reference for current wheat research and production status in these countries. This book provides an opportunity for wheat scientists interested in global wheat improvement issues to obtain an insight into the research that is currently being conducted worldwide and the prospects of further improvement to meet the increasing demands for this food commodity.