Written by an experienced researcher in the field, Phytohormones and Patterning provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on the processes involved in the patterning of plant organs and tissues, as well as the role of phytohormones in organ development. It also provides an account of the molecular-genetic bases of plant architecture, with several hundred references included to facilitate easier literature search of this important field.Although plant patterning and plant hormones are very active fields of endeavor, there are limited reviews focussing on specific topics such as root patterning and short apex differentiation. This book, which deals with the subject matter extensively, will provide a much needed comprehensive discussion on the entire scope of plant patterning, and the impact of phytohormones on patterning, which was otherwise missing.Students studying plant development will benefit greatly from the book, as will undergraduates in agricultural studies, and those studying plant genetics and plant breeding. As the book covers a wide range of topics, it will also be useful for researchers who may be interested in possible new fields, and to readers who may not be experts but who are interested to enhance their knowledge of plant development.

Considerable advances have been made in our understanding of the eukaryotic cell cycle at the molecular level over the past two decades or so, particularly in yeast and in animal systems. However, only in the past three or four years has progress been made in plants at the molecular level. The present volume brings together molecular biologists, cell biologists and physiologists to discuss this recent progress and how it related to our understanding of the regulation of plant growth and development. The opening paper summarises the progress which has been made with fission yeast. Subsequent papers explore what is known about cell cycle control at the molecular level in plants, and about cell cycle regulation in specific physiological systems, ending with summary papers on cell division in roots and shoots. The book comprises up-to-date findings on a fundamental aspect of plant growth and development, and as such should be of particular interest to advanced undergraduates, postgraduates and research scientists in the fields of molecular biology, cell biology and physiology.

"Research Progress in Oligosaccharins" is a valuable tool for students and researchers who want to learn about this unique class of bioactive compounds. This book provides important insight into the complex roles of oligosaccharins in plant immunity, physiology, and protection. Oligosaccharins are complex carbohydrates that function in plants as molecular signals to regulate growth, development, and stress resistance. Based on the rapid development of glycobiology and molecular biology, a great deal of research work focused on oligosaccharins has been carried out in the last thirty years. As a result, several different oligosaccharins such as chitosan oligosaccharides, chitin oligosaccharides, glucan oligosaccharides, alginate oligosaccharides have been identified and their mechanisms of actions studied. Although major recent advancements have been made, there isn't an up-to-date systemic overview on the topic. Our objective is therefore to create a work that informs the reader of the nature of oligosaccharins, the different kinds of oligosaccharins, their functions and the mechanism of oligosaccharins-plants interaction.

Soybean Seed Composition covers three decades of advances in quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping of seed protein, oil, fatty acids, amino acids, sugars, mineral nutrients, isoflavones, lunasin, and other beneficial compounds. It opens with coverage of seed protein, oil, fatty acids, and amino acids and the effects that genetic and environmental factors have on them. Detailed discussion of QTL that control seed protein, oil, and fatty acids follows, and the book also covers seed amino acids, macronutrients, micronutrients, sugars, and other compounds that are key to selection for crop improvement. The book also provides an overview of two decades of QTL mapping of mineral deficiencies in soybean, which sheds light on the importance of a balanced mineral nutrition in soybean and other crops, elucidates salt stress tolerance QTL mapping, which is another challenge that faces soybean and other crop production worldwide. The importance of soybean seed isoflavones from their biosynthesis and quantification methods to locations and variations in seeds, roots, and leaves, to their QTL mapping is discussed, as well as providing key information on lunasin, a bioactive anticancer peptide in soybean seeds that will help farmers and breeders to develop soybean cultivars with improved seed isoflavones and lunasin content. The book will be of interest to graduate students, academics, and researchers in the fields of genetic and QTL mapping of important agronomic traits in soybean and other crops.

Conifer Cold Hardiness provides an up-to-date synthesis by leading scientists in the study of the major physiological and environmental factors regulating cold hardiness of conifer tree species. This state-of-the-art reference comprehensively explains current understanding of conifer cold hardiness ranging from the gene to the globe and from the highly applied to the very basic. Topics addressed encompass cold hardiness from the perspectives of ecology, ecophysiology, acclimation and deacclimation, seedling production and reforestation, the impacts of biotic and abiotic factors, and methods for studying and analyzing cold hardiness. The content is relevant to geneticists, ecologists, stress physiologists, environmental and global change scientists, pathologists, advanced nursery and silvicultural practitioners, and graduate students involved in plant biology, plant physiology, horticulture and forestry with an interest in cold hardiness.

This book deals with the most widespread of root symbiosis, arbuscular mycorrhizas, an essential component of soil/plant systems occurring in the majority of plant species in natural agro-ecosystems. It is intended to aid the environmental researcher in finding relevant methods quickly, and as a general reference work it will well serve field ecologists, laboratory biologists and other workers in plant biology and soil microbiology. The volume contains the most recent advances in (I) the field of the development of biomolecular methods adapted to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; (II) the promotion of innovative ecological research which considers biodiversity, in order to better understand the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizas in sustainable agriculture and natural ecosystems; (III) elucidating the role of arbuscular mycorrhizas in plant development and root morphology; and (IV) defining the cellular and molecular basis of plant-fungus exchanges. An article concerning The European Bank of Glomales, an essential tool for efficient international and interdisciplinary collaboration, is also included.

In the modern world, to meet increasing energy demands we need to develop new technologies allowing us to use eco-friendly carbon-neutral energy sources. Solar energy as the most promising renewable source could be the way to solve that problem, but it is variable depending on day time and season. From this side, the understanding of photosynthesis process could be of significant help for us to develop effective strategies of solar energy capturing, conversion, and storage. Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria perform photosynthesis, annually producing around 100 billion tons of dry biomass. Presently, the detailed studies of photosynthetic system structure make functional investigations of the photosynthetic process available, allowing scientists to construct artificial systems for solar energy transduction. This book summarizes exciting achievements in understanding of photosynthetic structures and mechanisms of this process made by world leaders in photosynthesis field, and contains information about modern ideas in development of revolutionary new technologies of energy conversion. Organized according to the natural sequence of events occurring during photosynthesis, the book includes information of both photosynthetic structures and mechanisms and its applications in bioenergetics issues.

Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 23
A much clearer picture is now emerging of the fine structure of the plant cuticle and its surface, the composition of cuticular waxes and the biosynthetic pathways leading to them. Studies assessing the impact of UV radiation on plant life have emphasized the role of the cuticle and underlying epidermis as optical filters for solar radiation. The field concerned with the diffusive transport of lipophilic organic non-electrolytes across the plant cuticle has reached a state of maturity. A new paradigm has recently been proposed for the diffusion of polar compounds and water across the cuticle. In the context of plant ecophysiology, cuticular transpiration can now be placed in the perspective of whole-leaf water relations. New and unexpected roles have been assigned to the cuticle in plant development and pollen-stigma interactions. Finally, much progress has been made in understanding the cuticle as a specific and extraordinary substrate for the interactions of the plant with microorganisms, fungi and insects.

This volume details the major developments of recent years in this important interdisciplinary area. It is directed at researchers and professionals in plant biochemistry, plant physiology, plant ecology, phytopathology and environmental microbiology, in both the academic and industrial sectors.

Plants depend on physiological mechanisms to combat adverse environmental conditions, such as pathogen attack, wounding, drought, cold, freezing, salt, UV, intense light, heavy metals and SO2. Many of these cause excess production of active oxygen species in plant cells. Plants have evolved complex defense systems against such oxidative stress. The study of these mechanisms has become a fast-moving, important field to many biologists. Written and edited by world-leading scientists, Oxidative Stress in Plants explores the current knowledge of the mechanisms by which various biotic and abiotic environmental stress conditions produce oxygen radicals. The text considers the biochemistry and molecular biology of both non-enzymatic (vitamin C, glutathione) and enzymatic systems which eliminate active oxygen species. In addition, the book discusses evidence that active oxygen species and antioxidants act as signals which trigger defense reactions.

In-depth knowledge of the chemistry of medicinal plants is essential in understanding the manifold utilities of such plants; and to enhance our understanding of the quality of raw materials, extracts and formulations; and in marketing plant-derived drugs. The selection of plants studied in this treatise is based on its significance, and its representation of members of different taxonomic families as well as of different classes (and subclasses) of compounds. All the available data on the chemical compounds and the pharmacological studies on these plants/compounds have been incorporated. The plants are arranged by the type and nature of chemical compounds they contain. Secondary metabolites have been included in this volume due to their great therapeutic role.

This is the first volume to provide comprehensive coverage of the biology of water use efficiency at molecular, cellular, whole plant and community levels. While several works have included the phenomenon of water use efficiency, and others have concentrated on an agronomic framework, this book represents the first detailed treatment with a biological focus.

The volume sets out the definitions applicable to water use efficiency, the fundamental physiology and biochemistry governing the efficiency of carbon" vs "water loss, the environmental regulation of this process and the detailed physiological basis by which the plant exerts control over such efficiency. It is aimed at researchers and professionals in plant physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, developmental biology and agriculture. It will also inform those involved in formulating research and development policy in this topic around the world.

The book will describe the xylem structure of different plant groups, and will put the findings in a physiological and ecological context. For instance, when differences in vessel diameter are featured, then there will be an explanation why this matters for water transport efficiency and safety from cavitation. The focus is on the hydraulic function of xylem, although mechanical support and storage will also be covered. Featured plant groups include ferns (which only have primary xylem), conifers (tracheid-based xylem), lianas (extremely wide and long vessels), drought-adapted shrubs as well as the model systems poplar and grapevine. The book chapters will draw on the expertise and cutting edge research of a diversified group of internationally known researchers working in different anatomical and physiological sub-disciplines. Over the last two decades, much progress has been made in understanding how xylem structure relates to plant function. Implications for other timely topics such as drought-induced forest dieback or the regulation of plant biomass production will be discussed.

The aim of this monograph is to highlight various mechanisms followed by plants to overcome the high light stress and photoinhibition, and also the plant responses to low light levels. Emphasis has been on the regulation of light harvesting process, the avoidance phenomena at leaf and chloroplast levels and the strategy followed by certa in solar tracking plants in maximizing the light interception without photoinhibitory damage, leading to improvement of diurnal photosynthetic rate. Plant adjustment to light variations over a long term, through the acclimation process brought about by changes in gene function and specific reconstruction of chloroplast has also been discussed. Although the emphasis has been on higher plant systems, green algae and cyanobacterial examples are used wherever appropriate. This book will be a useful reference to advanced postgraduate students, research scientists and teachers interested in the area of photosynthesis research.

Describes the psychoactive constituents of cannabis and the effects on potency of growth conditions, genetics, harvesting techniques, and processing. Includes variations in THC and CBD content, species differentiation, seeds, grafting, cloning, bonsai marijuana, growing techniques, extraction of THC, preparation of hashish and hash oil, smoking vs eating, testing for THC and CBD, as well as legal concerns. Illustrated.

Plants depend for their survival on physiological mechanisms with which to combat adverse environmental conditions, such as pathogen attack, wounding, drought, cold, freezig, salt, UV, intense light, hevy metals, and SO2. Many of these cause excess production of active oxygen species in plant cells. Plants in turn have evolved complex defence systems against such oxidative stress. The study of these mechanisms has become a fast-moving, topical firld of importance to many biologists studying the effect of the environment on living organisms.
Written and edited by world-leading scientists, Oxidative Stress in Plants reviews the current knowledge of the mechanisms by which various biotic and abiotic environmental stress conditions produce oxygen eadicals. The biochemistry and molecular biology of both non-enzymatic (Vitamin C; Glutathione) and enzymatic systems which eliminate active oxygen species are considered in detail. In addition, the book discusses evidence that active oxygen species and antioxidants act as signals which trigger defence reactions.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203303148

Eucalyptus, a genus of over 800 species, is a multiproduct crop par excellence. Not only is it grown for timber, pulp and fuelwood but, as the Aborigines discovered thousands of years ago, it has numerous medicinal and aromatic properties. Since the first commercial distillation of eucalyptus oil 150 years ago, a vast array of eucalyptus-based products has entered the marketplace, mainly for pharmaceutical, fragrance and flavour use.
This book provides an invaluable reference for all those with an interest in Eucalyptus - in academia and industry alike, for researchers as well as producers, processors, importers and end users - but there are also issues discussed and lessons learnt which extend to medicinal and aromatic plants generally.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203219430

The genus Vetiveria is one of the most versatile genera in plant species. The species Vetiveria Zizanoides produces oderous roots from which a precious essential oil is distilled and used in a variety of applications from perfumery to ethnopharmacology. The same roots give the plant particular characteristics that make it a valuable natural barrier against erosion. Vetiveria: The Genus Vetiveria describes the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, essential oil biogenesis and chemical composition, ethnopharmacology and distillation, as well as the production of plants for oil exploration and for the use of Vetiver as an ecological tool against erosion, flood, soil pollution and many other applications.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203218736

The Genetics and Genomics of the Brassicaceae provides a review of this important family (commonly termed the mustard family, or Cruciferae). The family contains several cultivated species, including radish, rocket, watercress, wasabi and horseradish, in addition to the vegetable and oil crops of the Brassica genus. There are numerous further species with great potential for exploitation in 21st century agriculture, particularly as sources of bioactive chemicals. These opportunities are reviewed, in the context of the Brassicaceae in agriculture. More detailed descriptions are provided of the genetics of the cultivated Brassica crops, including both the species producing most of the brassica vegetable crops (B. rapa and B. oleracea) and the principal species producing oilseed crops (B. napus and B. juncea). The Brassicaceae also include important "model" plant species. Most prominent is Arabidopsis thaliana, the first plant species to have its genome sequenced. Natural genetic variation is reviewed for A. thaliana, as are the genetics of the closely related A. lyrata and of the genus Capsella. Self incompatibility is widespread in the Brassicaceae, and this subject is reviewed. Interest arising from both the commercial value of crop species of the Brassicaceae and the importance of Arabidopsis thaliana as a model species, has led to the development of numerous resources to support research. These are reviewed, including germplasm and genomic library resources, and resources for reverse genetics, metabolomics, bioinformatics and transformation. Molecular studies of the genomes of species of the Brassicaceae revealed extensive genome duplication, indicative of multiple polyploidy events during evolution. In some species, such as Brassica napus, there is evidence of multiple rounds of polyploidy during its relatively recent evolution, thus the Brassicaceae represent an excellent model system for the study of the impacts of polyploidy and the subsequent process of diploidisation, whereby the genome stabilises. Sequence-level characterization of the genomes of Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica rapa are presented, along with summaries of comparative studies conducted at both linkage map and sequence level, and analysis of the structural and functional evolution of resynthesised polyploids, along with a description of the phylogeny and karyotype evolution of the Brassicaceae. Finally, some perspectives of the editors are presented. These focus upon the Brassicaceae species as models for studying genome evolution following polyploidy, the impact of advances in genome sequencing technology, prospects for future transcriptome analysis and upcoming model systems.

Current trends in population growth hint that global food production is unlikely to gratify future demands under predicted climate change scenarios unless the rates of crop improvement are accelerated. Crop production faces numerous challenges, due to changing environmental conditions and evolving needs for new plant-derived materials. These challenges come at a time when the plant sciences are witnessing remarkable progress in understanding fundamental processes of plant growth and development. Drought, heat, cold and salinity are among the major abiotic stresses that often cause a series of morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular alterations which adversely affect plant growth, development andproductivity, consequently posing a serious challenge for sustainable food production in large parts of the world, particularly in emerging countries. This emphasizes the urgency of finding better ways to translate new advances in plant science into concrete successes in agricultural production. To overcome the pessimistic influence of abiotic stresses and to maintain the food security in the face of these challenges, new, improved and tolerant crop varieties, contemporary breeding techniques, and cavernous understanding of the mechanisms that counteract detrimental climate changes are indubitably needed to sustain the requisite food supply. In this context, "Improvement of Crops in the Era of Climatic Changes, Volume 1 "provides a state-of-the-art guide to recent developments that aid in the understanding of plant responses to abiotic stresses and lead to new horizons vis-a-vis prime strategies for translating current researchinto applied solutions to create strong yields and overall crop improvement under such unfavourable environments.

Written by a diversegroup of internationally famed scholars, "Improvement of Crops in the Era of Climatic Changes, Volume 1" is a brief yet all-inclusive resource that is immensely advantageous for researchers, students, environmentalists, soil scientists, professionals, and many others in the quest of advancement in this flourishing field of research."

Emphasizing the unpredictable nature of plant behaviour under stress and in relation to complex interactions of biological pathways, this work covers the versatility of plants in adapting to environmental change. It analyzes environmentally triggered adaptions in developmental programmes of plants that lead to permanent, heritable DNA modifications.

In recent years, the importance of carotenoids as light harvesting and photoprotective compounds of the photsynthetic apparatus has become apparent. In particular, advances in caratenoid photochemistry have led to significant developments in our understanding of the mechanisms of photsynthesis. This volume is a comprehensive study of the biology, biochemistry and chemistry of carotenoids in higher plants, algae and phototropic bacteria. Emphasis is placed on the photochemistry of carotenoids and the techniques used to study them. Other chapters focus on the nature and distribution of carotenoids in photosynthetic organisms, their biosynthesis and molecular biology, herbicidal inhibition of carotenogenesis and a review of the xanthophyll cycle.

The book is a fundamental reference source on reaction wood for wood scientists and technologists, plant biologists, silviculturists, forest ecologists, and anyone involved in the growing of trees and the processing of wood. It brings together our current understanding of all aspects of reaction wood, and is the first book to discuss both compression wood and tension wood.

Trees produce reaction wood to maintain the vertical orientation of their stems and the optimum angle of each branch. They achieve this by laying down fibre cell walls in which differences in physical and chemical structure from those of normal fibres are expressed as differential stresses across the stem or branch. This process, while of obvious value for the survival of the tree, causes serious problems for the utilisation of timber. Timber derived from trees containing significant amounts of reaction wood is subject to dimensional instability on drying, causing twisting, bending and splitting. It is also difficult to work as timber, and for the pulp and paper industry the cost of removing the increased amount of lignin in compression wood is substantial. This has both practical and economic consequences for industry.

Understanding the factors controlling reaction wood formation and its effect on wood structure is therefore fundamental to our understanding of the adaptation of trees to their environment and to the sustainable use of wood.

The topics covered include:

-Morphology, anatomy and ultrastructure of reaction wood

-Cell-wall polymers in reaction wood and their biosynthesis

-Changes in tree proteomes during reaction wood formation

-The biomechanical action and biological functions of reaction wood

-Physical and mechanical properties of reaction wood from the scale of cell walls to planks

-The detection and characterisation of compression wood

-Effects of reaction wood on the performance of wood and wood-based products

-Commercial implications of reaction wood and the influence of forest management on its formation

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Biological Rhythms and Photoperiodism in Plants brings together disparate subject areas into one accessible text of interest to all plant biologists. In this comprehensive volume, leading international researchers review our current understanding of circadian rhythms from a broad perspective. The book begins with a description of well known rhythmic processes such as gene expression, stomatal guard cell opening, and the movement of petals and leaves. Photoperiodic responses such as dormancy, bulbing, tuberization and flowering are then discussed in terms of their rhythmic behaviour. The latest data from current studies with mutant and transgenic plants is also included.

Discusses and explains the major advances that the new technology of applying molecular genetic techniques of modifying carbon and nitrogen in plants has provided, giving insights into its applications for the benefits of agriculture, the environment and man. The text is divided into three sections, the first focusing on primary nitrogen and carbon assimilation and carbon partitioning; the second looking at compartmentation, transport and whole plant interactions; and the third to related metabolism to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date account of this subject.