"Histopathology of Seed-Borne Infections is the first book to provide comprehensive coverage of seed infection and disease. It includes an up-to-date account on the development and structure of seed, pointing out the structural variations in seeds of the plant families to which most crop plants belong. The text presents techniques and advice for histopathological studies, as well as a discussion on physiogenic seed disorders and the penetration of ovule/seed by fungi. Featuring an extensive bibliography, this book serves as a springboard for further research in seed biology and provides a literature review in a field where it is difficult to access older sources. It will be a valuable resource for seed and plant scientists, plant pathologists, crop scientists, ecologists, and seed chemists, as well as researchers and students involved in seed and plant pathology, seed technology, and agriculture. Features

With contributions from more than 30 internationally renowned experts, this book combines coverage of theory with coverage of global practices. Highlighting the day-to-day challenges of organic crop management for cost-effective real-world application, the book explores the biological control of diseases in 12 major crops. It focuses on the use of host plant resistance through transgenics and induced systemic resistance as a part of biological control. Topics covered include the role of biocontrol agents for signalling resistance, effective ecofriendly alternative to combat bacterial, fungal, and viral infestation, and transgenic crops in disease management.

The tea plant, Camellia sinensis, is of particular importance to humans, and the consumption of tea has a long history of over 2000 years. Currently, tea is one of the most popular beverages worldwide. In recent years the subject of tea has attracted a great deal of attention. As well as the use of tea in traditional medicine, modern biochemical research has shown the potential application of tea and tea products to disease prevention and therapy. The goal of this book is to cover all relevant aspects including botanical identification, processing and major categories of tea, physiological and pharmacological effects, and experimental therapeutic effects. The therapeutic applications of tea based on traditional Chinese medicine are also included. The contributors are renowned experts from botanical, agricultural, chemical, biochemical, and medical circles. Tea: Bioactivity and Therapeutic Potential will be an invaluable reference source for physicians and all professionals in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and food research and development industries as well as anyone who is interested in the potential medical applications of tea.

This publication is a multi-authored attempt to present the scientific fraternity high quality resource material in the field of climate change and livestock production. Attempts were made to discuss the adaptive mechanism that the animal exhibits to counteract the adverse effects of heat stress. In addition to the adaptive mechanisms, several management and feeding practices have also been established as tested methods for reduction of stress effects in livestock.Also, it is a comprehensive resource for the researchers, teachers and students to understand stress management and livestock productivity so as to sustain animal production under projected climate change scenario.

This informative volume presents a valuable overview of the therapeutic aspects as well as applications of antioxidants. It discusses the basic mechanisms of therapy-based oxidative damage and categorization of nutritional antioxidants and covers the sources of antioxidants as well as their extraction and quantification. The volume considers the controversies of the usefulness or disadvantages of antioxidant supplementation in relation to adaptation and performance and also looks at the effectiveness of bioactives and antioxidant-based therapies for specific health issues, such as anemia, infectious diseases, urinary tract infections, Parkinson's diseases, and diabetes. The book discusses the sensing of oxidative stress and the effectiveness of antioxidant treatment, followed by an introduction to several biomarkers to estimate the bioefficacy of dietary/supplemental antioxidants in various forms. Also considered are free radicals that can cause "oxidative stress," a process that can trigger cell damage, and how antioxidant molecules have been shown to counteract oxidative stress in laboratory experiments.

This new volume, Biological Assessment of Natural and Anthropogenic Ecosystems: Trends in Diagnosis of Environmental Stress, diverse methods and achievements in assessing the biological state of ecosystems are presented, biochemical, genetic and cytological methods are used, methodological achievements in this area are discussed in this volume. Experimental and practical aspects of the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and its application in modern business conditions are considered. The use of biological indicators for the purpose of protecting nature and practical application is presented. The authors of the book are biologists, biochemists, genetics, and ecologists from prestigious scientific institutions. This volume explores different types, different plant tissues and intracellular structures for the diagnosis and prediction of anthropogenic effects on living natural systems. Here, scientific information on the bioindication properties of living systems is presented and the theoretical foundations of its study are emphasized. This authoritative reference source will be a valuable addition for scientific researchers and students working in the field of biology, ecology, genetics, cytogenetics, agronomy and environmental assessment and its protection from anthropogenic destruction. The authors highlight the achievements, problems, and opportunities of biological methods for indicating the environment. Key features: Provides an overview of recent events and opportunities in the field of bioindication to control anthropogenic damage of living systems Considers the screening of new parameters to determine the health status of biological objects from one cell to an entire ecosystem, such as boreal peatlands Presents the results of a study of the response of plants to abiotic stressors Demonstrates the importance of role-related research of living objects as bioindicators Provides new research on various topics of plant resistance to stress Discusses design methodology, development and law of selection of indicators for specific environmental issues.

Confusion about the genera Geranium and Pelargonium existed even before Linnaeus' binomial system of classification bundled both into the former category in 1753. Despite later evaluations that separated the two, many practitioners of alternative medicine and aromatherapists, among others, remain unaware of the distinction. Laymen and plant sales personnel are often equally in the dark, as the majority of garden center 'geraniums' are Pelargonium species and cultivars. This work aims to dispel myths and peel away layers of incorrect and muddled information which contribute to the unclear image of the genera. Geranium and Pelargonium: The Genus Geranium and Pelargonium features discussion and new information on some of the following areas: * taxonomy and history of usage and nomenclature * cultivation for essential oil production and retail purposes in different countries * phytochemistry of the genera * chemistry of Geranium and Pelargonium oils * theory and practice of distillation of Geranium and Pelargonium oils * pharmacology an therapeutic properties of Geranium and Pelargonium oils and extracts * use of Geranium and Pelargonium products in aromatherapy, perfumery, cosmetics, food processing and medicine * new research into Geranium and Pelargonium This book will be of interest to graduate students, scientists and professionals in the Geranium and Pelargonium growing and retail industry, the perfumery, food and cosmetics industries, and to those interested in Geranium and Pelargonium for alternative and conventional medical use. * Theory and practice of distillation

Drawing on the author's extensive personal experience, Medicinal Plants of Asia and the Pacific provides comprehensive coverage of the medicinal plants of the region. Describing more than 300 compounds, the book discusses every important class of natural products while highlighting cutting-edge research and recent developments. With its broad scope and extensive compound listings, the presentation and approach of the book is completely original.

Research data is expensive and precious, yet it is seldom fully utilized due to our ability of comprehension. Graphical display is desirable, if not absolutely necessary, for fully understanding large data sets with complex interconnectedness and interactions. The newly developed GGE biplot methodology is a superior approach to the graphical analysis of research data and may revolutionize the way researchers analyze data. GGE Biplot Analysis: A Graphical Tool for Breeders, Geneticists, and Agronomists introduces the theory of the GGE biplot methodology and describes its applications in visual analysis of multi-environment trial (MET) data and other types of research data. The text includes three parts: I) Genotype by environment interaction and stability analysis, II) GGE biplot and multi-environment trial (MET) data analysis, and III) GGE biplot software and applications in analyzing other types of two-way data. Part I presents a comprehensive but succinct treatment of genotype-by-environment (G x E) interaction in order to provide an overall picture of the entire G x E issue and to show how GGE biplot methodology fits in. Part II describes and demonstrates the numerous utilities of a GGE biplot in visualizing MET data. Part III describes the "GGE biplot" software and extends its application to the analysis of genotype by trait data, QTL mapping data, diallel cross data, and host by pathogen data. Altogether, this book demonstrates that the GGE biplot methodology is a superior data-visualization tool and allows the researcher to graphically extract and utilize the information from MET data and other types of two-way data to the fullest extent. GGE Biplot Analysis makes this useful technology accessible on a wider scale to plant and animal breeders, geneticists, agronomists, ecologists, and students in these and other related research areas. The information presented here will greatly enhance researchers' ability to understand their data and will mak

The genus Thymus consists of about 350 species of perennial, aromatic herbs and subshrubs native to Europe and North Africa. Various types of thyme are used all over the globe as condiments, ornamentals and sources of essential oil. Thyme oil (distilled from its leaves) is among the world's top ten essential oils, displaying antibacterial, antimycotic, antioxidative, food preservative and mammalian age-delaying properties. Because of the wide variety of its applications, the demand for thyme oil is growing; hence thyme commands an important place in an expanding world market. Commercial supply of thyme originates mainly from European countries, but recently this increased demand has lead to new winter-hardy, high yield cultivars being developed for commercial cultivation in Canada and North America. This comprehensive volume covers all aspects of the biology, cultivation, pharmacology, chemistry and industrial processing of the genus Thymus. It is the most up to date overview of current knowledge in thyme use, and will be an invaluable reference source to those interested in medicinal plants, natural products, pharmacy, pharmacognosy and agronomy.

Molecular Host Plant Resistance to Pests examines environmentally safe and integrated techniques for effective pest management. Offering more than 1500 references for further exploration of the topic, this reference details the bioactivity, biosynthetic pathways, mechanisms of action, and genetic regulation for improved methods of crop protection and analyzes host plant resistance mechanisms for development of enhanced insect management programs and agricultural ecosystems. This reference discusses the morphological and phenological bases of plant resistance and the current molecular studies on the chemistry, classification, and occurrence of a variety of chemical constituents.

This volume provides technical insight on how genomics-oriented studies may be used to bring new understanding to established models of fungal development. The book helps to assess and solve problems associated with multiple copies of genes and proteins with seemingly identical functions and depicts various industrial applications. To bridge the information gap resulting from this field's explosive growth, Genomics of Plants and Fungi addresses the implementation of workflow applications with the METEOR Workflow Management System, and discusses clinical manifestations of Aspergillus infection, stunted and medusa genes, hyphal mating and fertilization, and vegetative incompatibility.

Explores the molecular, biochemical, functional, structural, and developmental mechanisms of pH in plant growth. Examines the role of pH in plant symplasm, plant apoplasm, thr rhizosphere, the ecosystem, and plant interaction with biotic snd abiotic environments.

Offers comprehensive coverage of the latest developments in both biochemical and physiological approaches to fungal systematics. Incorporates recent advances in molecular biology into systematics methods that can revolutionize taxonomic schemes.

The Handbook of Reference Methods for Plant Analysis is an outstanding resource of plant analysis procedures, outlined in easy-to-follow steps and laboratory-ready for implementation. Plant laboratory preparation methods such as dry ashing and acid and microwave digestion are discussed in detail. Extraction techniques for analysis of readily soluble elements (petiole analysis) and quick test kits for field testing are also presented. This handbook consolidates proven, time tested methods in one convenient source. Plant scientists in production agriculture, forestry, horticulture, environmental sciences, and other related disciplines will find the Handbook a standard laboratory reference. The Handbook was written for the Soil and Plant Analysis Council, Inc., of which the editor is a board member. The council aims to promote uniform soil test and plant analysis methods, use, interpretation, and terminology; and to stimulate research on the calibration and use of soil testing and plant analysis. This reference will help readers reach these important goals in their own research.

Genotype-by-Environment Interaction (GEI) is a prevalent issue among crop farmers, plant breeders, geneticists, and production agronomists. This book brings together contributions from expert plant breeders and quantitative geneticists to better understand the relationship between crop performance and environment. This information can reduce the cost of extensive genotype evaluation by eliminating unnecessary testing sites and by fine-tuning breeding programs. Molecular aspects of GEI are discussed for the first time and key bibliographical references on GEI are included in an appendix.

These exciting new companion handbooks are the only ones of their kind devoted solely to the effects of environmental variables on the physiology of the world's major fruit and nut crops. Their cosmopolitan scope includes chapters on tropical and temperate zone species written by scientists from several continents. The influence of environmental factors, such as irradiance, temperature, water and salinity on plant physiology and on vegetative and reproductive growth, is comprehensively discussed for each crop. In addition to being a thorough and up-to-date set of textbooks, the organzation of the two volumes makes them an excellent reference tool. Each chapter focuses on a single crop, or a group of genetically or horticulturally related crop, and is appropriately divided into subsections that address individual environmental factors. Some chapters emphasize whole-plant physiology and plant growth and development, while other chapters feature theoretical aspects of plant physiology. Several chapters provide botanical background discussions to enhance understanding of the crop's response to its environment.

Presents the latest advances in the study of the intracellular fate and transport of metal ions in fungi, emphasizing the mechanisms that regulate cellular concentration. The book explains the expanding relationship between molecular genetics and inorganic biochemistry.

Environmental pollution resulting from widespread pesticide application has become a serious worldwide problem. Plant Pathogenesis and Disease Control is an important new reference that addresses this problem by exploring the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of plant pathogenesis and emphasizing the use of "pest control agents" rather than "pesticides" for plant disease control. Topics examined include pathogenicity, the resistance of plants against pathogens, the offensive and defensive struggle between hosts and parasites, methods for using natural defense mechanisms to develop environmentally sound disease control agents, and the use of modern biotechnology for plant disease control. The book will be an essential reference for phytopathologists, plant biochemists, pesticide chemists, mycologists, plant cell technologists, and agricultural researchers.

Ecophysiology of Vascular Halophytes provides a useful update to existing literature describing the ecophysiological responses of vascular halophytes to environmental stresses present in saline habitats. The success of species growing in these extreme environments is related to a number of adaptations, including the timing of phenological events, phenotypic plasticity and genetic selection for specific ecophysiological responses at different stages of development. Factors discussed that influence the growth and distribution of halophytes include seed germination, salinity stress, salt stimulation, flooding, ion content, nitrogen, plant water status, growth regulators, photosynthesis, and genecology. The book also discusses the effects of both interspecific and intraspecific competition on the growth and survival of halophytes. Researchers and students of stress ecology, as well as agricultural research organizations, will find a tremendous store of information in this volume.

Discusses New Advancements to Improve Existing Simulations of Plant Nitrogen Written by research pioneers and leading scientists in the area of agricultural systems, Quantifying and Understanding Plant Nitrogen Uptake for Systems Modeling comprehensively covers plant N uptake in agricultural system models, especially for building soil-plant system models. The text illustrates how to minimize the transportation of nitrogen fertilizers in crop production to surface and ground waters, as even moderate errors in uptake estimations lead to a dramatic increase in the amount of nitrogen leached into groundwater. It also highlights the knowledge gaps preventing correct simulation of this process and explains what to look for when using a system model and interpreting simulation results. Applies to a Variety of Crops, Including Oilseed, Wheat, Potatoes, and Maize Addressing quantification and synthesis in the context of system modeling, this text introduces cutting-edge and original information regarding N uptake not previously offered by other research texts in the field. This, in turn, benefits scientists, professors, system modelers, and model users in interpreting modeling results for enhancing nitrogen management and developing decision support tools. This volume documents, with complex, detailed models, plant N uptake based on absorption kinetics of transporters across the root cell membranes, mass flow, and diffusion to the root surface of single or composite roots. It also provides simpler models used in N uptake simulations at the field and watershed scales. Discusses All Areas of the Complex Process In addition to the important processes of nitrogen translocation, remobilization, and grain protein formation, the book documents various philosophies, mechanisms, and scales in simul

This volume deals with leadwort (Plumbaginaceae), olive (Oleaceae), butterfly-bush (Buddlejaceae), gentian (Gentianaceae), buck-bean (Menyanthaceae), dogbane (Apocynaceae) and milkweed (Asclepiadaceae) families. The book includes 4 plates and 5 maps of distribution ranges.

This volume of the illustrated lists of plants of Central Asia (within the People?s Republics of China and Mongolia) treats the tribe Anthemideae of the largest family of Compositae. Many members of this tribe, specially wormwoods, tansy, Brachanthemum play the most important role in the vegetative cover of Central Asia as coenosis-forming agents (edificators) in steppes and barren lands. This tribe comprises several endemic and relict plants. As in the preceding volumes, keys are provided for the genera and species and for each species references to nomenclature, its ecology and geographic distribution. Ill.: 6 plates, 8 maps of distribution ranges.

We live in a world of wide pendulum swings regarding management policies for protected areas, particularly as they affect the involvement of local people in management. Such swings can be polarizing and halt on-the-ground progress. There is a need to find ways to protect biodiversity while creating common ground and building management capacity through shared experiences. Diverse groups need to cooperate to manage forests in ways that are flexible and can incorporate feedback. Biological Diversity: Balancing Interests Through Adaptive Collaborative Management addresses the problem of how to balance local, national, and global interests in preserving the earth's biological diversity with competing interests in the use and exploitation of these natural resources. This innovative book examines the potential of adaptive collaborative management (ACM) in reconciling a protected area's competing demands for biodiversity conservation, local livelihood support, and broader-based regional development. It clarifies ACM's emerging characteristics and assesses its suitability for a variety of protected area situations. Features Presents a better understanding of an emerging new management paradigm for balancing interests in biodiversity conservation and livelihood sustainability Provides interdisciplinary analysis and strategies for success involving social and biological scientists, natural resource practitioners, policy makers, and citizens Includes cases from around the world that illustrate how effective conservation programs can be developed though the use of adaptive management and social learning

Originally published in 1983, Interpretations of Calamity provides a provocative critique of the 'dominant view' of research into natural hazards. Throughout the world, there are now many people professionally engaged in the mitigation and control of risks & hazards, and the impact of continuing economic development will ensure that they are fully employed. There is a wealth of perspectives in the book, including weather and wheat yields in the Soviet Union and Canada, an historical view of underdevelopment and hazards in Ireland and the impact of a response to drought in southern Africa, the Sahel and the Great Plains of the USA. The book reflects the major themes of hazards in the context of economic development and social change. Most of the case studies are from the rural and agriculture scene. This book provides a unique view of the vital importance of food production and of the considerable, and sometimes calamitous, impact that frost, flood, storm and drought have on the wellbeing of millions of people and on the stability of the international economic system.