This book provides a comprehensive and interactive view of recent advances in the cytology, anatomy, and physiology of roots as presented at the 5th International Symposium on Structure and Function of Roots, held on 31 August-4 September, 1998, in Stara Lesna, Slovakia. This edition differs from previous ones by including some aspects of functional genetics and plant morphogenesis. The book is intended to serve both students and researchers as a valuable source of updated information, ideas, and concepts dealing with the most fundamental questions of development and function of plant roots.

This edited volume is a comprehensive account of plant diseases and insect pests, plant protection and management for various crops using microbial and biotechnological approaches. The book elucidates the role of biotechnology for the enhancement of crop productivity and management of bacterial and fungal diseases via eco-friendly methods. It discusses crop-pest/ pathogen interaction and utilizing this interaction in a beneficial and sustainable way. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, plant scientists and plant pathologists. Also the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, forestry, ecology, soil science, and environmental sciences.

In the recent past, threats from climate change and unforeseeable environmental extremes to plant growth and productivity have consistently increased. The climate change-driven effects, especially from unpredictable environmental fluctuations, can result in an increased prevalence of abiotic and biotic stresses in plants. These stresses have slowed down the global yields of crop plants. On the other hand, food security for the rapidly growing human population in a sustainable ecosystem is a major concern of the present-day world. Thus, understanding the core developmental, physiological and molecular aspects that regulate plant growth and productivity in a challenging environment is a pivotal issue to be tackled by the scientific community dealing with sustainable agricultural and horticultural practices. Plants are influenced by the adverse environmental conditions at various levels, their different and diverse responses play a significant role in determining their growth, production and the overall geographical distribution. The chapters in this book focus on the biological mechanisms and fundamental principles that determine how different plant species grow, perform and interact with a challenging environment. This book covers a broad range of topics in plant science, including gene function, molecules, physiology, cell biology and plant ecology, to understand the functioning of plants under harsh environmental conditions. The book elucidates the physiological and molecular mechanisms in different plant species, ecophysiological interactions of plants, interplay between plant roots, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, biosensors for monitoring stress, production of secondary metabolites, stress alleviation processes, and more.

The openings offered by functional genomics reconciles organism biology and molecular biology, in order to define an integrative biology that should allow new insights about how a phenotype is built up from a genotype in interaction with its environment. This book covers a wide area of concepts and methods in genomics. This range from international genome sequencing projects to invaluable bioinformatics tools, analytical methods of gene expression, including final metabolic products, and their specific tissue to cellular compartmentalization. This new knowledge enables readers to understand the integration of basic physiological functions, and developmental programs. Also, the establishment of tight relationships between genomics, and genetics and plant breeding reveals synergies for exploiting molecular markers, for analysing genetic variation, or for studying quantitative traits. The integration that is now feasible by these new approaches also effects ecophysiology, and opens up new perspectives for the us

Agriculture faces many challenges to fulfil the growing demand for sustainable food production and ensure high-quality nutrition for a rapidly growing population. To guarantee adequate food production, it is necessary to increase the yield per area of arable land. A method for achieving this goal has been the application of growth regulators to modulate plant growth. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are substances in specific formulations which, when applied to plants or seeds, have the capacity to promote, inhibit, or modify physiological traits, development and/or stress responses. They maintain proper balance between source and sink for enhancing crop yield. PGRs are used to maximize productivity and quality, improve consistency in production, and overcome genetic and abiotic limitations to plant productivity. Suitable PGRs include hormones such as cytokinins and auxins, and hormone-like compounds such as mepiquat chloride and paclobutrazol. The use of PGRs in mainstream agriculture has steadily increased within the last 20 years as their benefits have become better understood by growers. Unfortunately, the growth of the PGR market may be constrained by a lack of innovation at a time when an increase in demand for new products will require steady innovation and discovery of novel, cost-competitive, specific, and effective PGRs. A plant bio-stimulant is any substance or microorganism applied to plants with the aim to enhance nutrition efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance and/or crop quality traits, regardless of its nutrients content. Apart from traditional PGRs, which are mostly plant hormones, there are a number of substances/molecules such as nitric oxide, methyl jasmonate, brassinosteroids, seaweed extracts, strigolactones, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria etc. which act as PGRs. These novel PGRs or bio-stimulants have been reported to play important roles in stress responses and adaptation. They can protect plants against various stresses, including water deficit, chilling and high temperatures, salinity and flooding. This book includes chapters ranging from sensing and signalling in plants to translational research. In addition, the cross-talk operative in plants in response to varied signals of biotic and abiotic nature is also presented. Ultimately the objective of this book is to present the current scenario and the future plan of action for the management of stresses through traditional as well as novel PGRs. We believe that this book will initiate and introduce readers to state-of-the-art developments and trends in this field of study.

Ecological intensification involves using natural resources such as land, water, soil nutrients, and other biotic and abiotic variables in a sustainable way to achieve high performance and efficiency in agricultural yield with minimal damage to the agroecosystems. With increasing food demand there is high pressure on agricultural systems. The concept of ecological intensification presents the mechanisms of ensuring high agricultural productivity by restoration the soil health and landscape ecosystem services. The approach involves the replacement of anthropogenic inputs with eco-friendly and sustainable alternates. Effective ecological intensification requires an understanding of ecosystems services, ecosystem's components, and flow of resources in the agroecosystems. Also, awareness of land use patterns, socio-economic factors, and needs of the farmer community plays a crucial role. It is therefore essential to understand the interaction of ecosystem constituents within the extensive agricultural landscape. The editors critically examined the status of ecological stress in agroecosystems and address the issue of ecological intensification for natural resources management. Drawing upon research and examples from around the world, the book is offering an up-to-date account, and insight into the approaches that can be put in practice for poly-cropping systems and landscape-scale management to increase the stability of agricultural production systems to achieve 'Ecological resilience'. It further discusses the role of farmer communities and the importance of their awareness about the issues. This book will be of interest to teachers, researchers, climate change scientists, capacity builders, and policymakers. Also, the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, forestry, ecology, agronomy, soil science, and environmental sciences. National and international agricultural scientists, policymakers will also find this to be a useful read for green future.

Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology of Trees, Volume 89 in the Advances in Botanical Research series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on such topics as the Activity of the shoot apical and cambial meristems: Coordination and responses to environmental signals, Conifer functional genomics, Nitrogen storage and cycling, Tree defense against pests and pathogens, The ectomycorrhizal contribution to tree nutrition, Phytoremediation with trees, Transcriptional regulation of wood formation, Transgenic poplars, the Genomics of forest trees, and much more.

Vegetable Seed Processing written by Rakesh C. Mathad, Basavegowda and Patil S B is a landmark publication featuring exhaustive technical information on various aspects of shop floor operations like seed conditioning, upgrading, processing, treatment, packaging, storage, blending and inventory management. Some of these aspects are latest developments happening in vegetable seed industry and written by authors who are having immense experience of working in many national and multinational companies. This book help to prepare people associated with seed processing and offer great reference to academic, researchers and students who are studying courses in Seed Processing and Storage.

The book has been written for Undergraduate as well as Post Graduate students covering major aspect of practical based literatures of "Principle of Biotechnology and Genetics".

This book is aimed at helping the analyst with respect to analysis of samples, mainly, plant material. The book is divided into two parts. o The first part deals with the different techniques involved in the biochemical analysis. The theoretical aspects of the same are presented in detail. The mechanism and some information on the buildup of the equipments are furnished. The need and scope of the instruments and their utility are also presented. o The second part deals with specific methods of analysis. Analytical methods of sugars, amino acids, proteins, fats, enzymes and their components are presented. Nucleic acid, vitamin, antinutrient (toxicants) and mineral analytical methods also have been included. o Information on alkaloid and pesticide residue analytical methods etc. has also been furnished. In many cases two or more methods have been given. o They have been given in such a way that they include reagents, apparatus and step wise procedures. o Final calculations needed for arriving at the concentration of the constituents have also been included.

Plant biochemistry is an important emerging field in the agricultural sciences. Basic knowledge of the chemistry and the biochemical mechanisms of the plant in synthesizing various components is essential for advancements needed in other areas of agriculture like plant breeding, plant protection, plant production, etc. In the recent past, biotechnology and biochemistry are moving hand in glove to solve many problems related to humans and other living beings. The book is aimed at providing good information to graduate and post-graduate students in agriculture and biology. It will also serve as a reference book to researchers in plant breeding, agronomy, plant physiology and plant protection and will come in handy to solve many global problems by the present and future generations.

It is difficult to forecast the serious consequences of damage to soil health on plants, animals and human beings. Agricultural soils across the globe are affected by erosion, degradation, nutrient depletion, pollution, organic matter decline and faulty management practices. This has resulted into 'Plant nutrient disorders' due primarily to imbalances, interactions, deficiencies or toxicities of one or more plant nutrients. Quality of irrigation water and environmental stress has a profound influence on this process. The present book provides an insight into the reasons for occurrence of such nutrient disorders, methodologies to monitor soil, plant, water and environment and ways to diagnose the problem through analytical and instrumental techniques. Widespread occurrence of secondary and micronutrient deficiencies in soils have resulted into low uptake of these nutrient ions by plants with adverse impact on human and animal health. Continuous cropping without due care of efficient soil and water use, have resulted in poor crop performances with low yields in many areas. This book attempts to provide answers to some pertinent questions on the subject i.e. I. Why plant nutrient disorders occur? II. Whether these are site or crop specific? III. How best one can diagnose the problem, by adopting sound analytical techniques? IV. What are the major concerns? V. How best one can manage such disorders to sustain soil health for crop production? Implementing scientific soil management programme requires good team work among scientists, extension workers & field staff with governmental support and farmer's participation. It is hoped that this book written in a simple language will be very useful for the students and teachers of Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Fisheries & allied disciplines.

The problems engendered by the conflicting imperatives of development and ecology show no sign of ending, and every day more locations are added to the list of landscapes poisoned by human activity. This vital book, featuring an international set of authors, is a key reference for researchers and environmental managers, as well as anyone involved in the mining industry or landscape remediation. The comprehensive coverage of current approaches to phytoremediation begins by examining the problem. It looks at natural and human-induced toxins, and their effects on natural vegetation as well as agricultural crops. Particular attention is paid to the two largest challenges to remediation -- heavy metals, and the salt stress that is impeding agricultural productivity worldwide. The text moves on to focus on the efficacy of different plant species in removing toxic pollutants from the environment. Along with analysis of a number of case studies, this section includes new and updated information on the mechanism of toxin-tolerance in plants.

This book is a single hand source book which deals with all aspects and facts of Spices, Plantation Crops, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants which may meet the requirements of all those who are pursuing their interest in any fields related to spices, medicinal plants, aromatic plants etc. Along with students who are preparing themselves for the RF, SRF, NET, Ph.D., ARS, and other competitive examinations. The book has been divided into major sections covering more than 200 crops on: o Spices and Condiments o Plantation Crops o Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Within depth knowledge and information on below given topics of more than o Importance and technical Information o Crop Improvement o Crop Production o Crop Protection o Diseases and Insect Pest Management o Post Harvest Technology

A thorough understanding of the mechanisms of photosynthesis, regulation of structure and function and the adaptive strategies of oxygenic photosynthetic organisms is central to any effort directed at improving crop productivity and providing sustainable agriculture. Photosynthesis is the most widely researched topic in plant science. Further probing of its mechanisms, regulation and adaptation, employing a variety of modern tools and techniques, is imperative to gain a better insight of this very intricate process. Unravelling the cause of stress impairments and stress tolerance in plants would help in ensuring the optimum production of food, fibres and fuels. This book presents a study of photosynthesis and provides details of experimental approaches that have been adopted to understand the complex regulatory and adaptive processes. Its 27 chapters have been divided into four sections: "Evolution, Structure and Function"; "Biodiversity, Metabolism and Regulation"; "Stress and Adaptations"; and "Techniques". With contributions from leading subject experts from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and USA, this comprehensive treatise

Sorghum is the most important cereal crop grown in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) of Africa, Asia, Australia and Americas for food, feed, fodder and fuel. It is the fifth most important cereal crop globally after rice, wheat, maize and barley, and plays a major role in global food security. Sorghum is consumed in different forms for various end-uses. Its grain is mostly used directly for food purposes. After the release of the proceedings of two international symposia in the form of books "Sorghum in Seventies" and "Sorghum in Eighties", global sorghum research and development have not been documented at one place. Of course, few books on sorghum have been released that focus on specific issues/research areas, but comprehensive review of all aspects of recent development in different areas of sorghum science has not been compiled in the form a single book. This book is intended to fill in a void to bridge the gap by documenting all aspects of recent research and development in sorghum encompassing all the progress made, milestones achieved across globe in genetic diversity assessment, crop improvement and production, strategies for high yield, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, grain and stover quality aspects, storage, nutrition, health and industrial applications, biotechnological applications to increase production, including regional and global policy perspectives and developmental needs. This book will be an institutional effort to compile all the latest information generated in research and development in sorghum across the globe at one place.

World population is growing at an alarming rate and may exceed 9.7 billion by 2050, whereas agricultural productivity has been negatively affected due to yield limiting factors such as biotic and abiotic stresses as a result of global climate change. Wheat is a staple crop for ~20% of the world population and its yield needs be augmented correspondingly in order to satisfy the demands of our increasing world population. "Green revolution", the introduction of semi-dwarf, high yielding wheat varieties along with improved agronomic management practices, gave rise to a substantial increase in wheat production and self-sufficiency in developing countries that include Mexico, India and other south Asian countries. Since the late 1980's, however, wheat yield is at a standoff with little fluctuation. The current trend is thus insufficient to meet the demands of an increasing world population. Therefore, while conventional breeding has had a great impact on wheat yield, with climate change becoming a reality, newer molecular breeding and management tools are needed to meet the goal of improving wheat yield for the future. With the advance in our understanding of the wheat genome and more importantly, the role of environmental interactions on productivity, the idea of genomic selection has been proposed to select for multi-genic quantitative traits early in the breeding cycle. Accordingly genomic selection may remodel wheat breeding with gain that is predicted to be 3 to 5 times that of crossbreeding. Phenomics (high-throughput phenotyping) is another fairly recent advancement using contemporary sensors for wheat germplasm screening and as a selection tool. Lastly, CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein mediated genome editing technology has been successfully utilized for efficient and specific genome editing of hexaploid bread wheat. In summary, there has been exciting progresses in the development of non-GM wheat plants resistant to biotic and abiotic stress and/or wheat with improved nutritional quality. We believe it is important to highlight these novel research accomplishments for a broader audience, with the hope that our readers will ultimately adopt these powerful technologies for crops improvement in order to meet the demands of an expanding world population.

One of the predicted consequences of the depletion of stratospheric ozone is an increase in the amount of ultraviolet light reaching the surface of the earth, in particular UV-B (320-280nm). Although the real effects are as yet unknown, this change in radiation could have profound consequences for plant growth and productivity. The need for information concerning the relationship between plants and UV-B is therefore pressing. This volume brings together authoritative contributions from leading experts in UV-B/plant studies and is unique in considering interactions at various scales, ranging from the level of the cell through to the level of the community. Information concerning ozone depletion and physical aspects of UV-B radiation complements the biological information to provide a thorough and comprehensive review of the status of knowledge.

This book has a broad scope and provides a comprehensive overview of the most up-to-date knowledge of the plant genus Baccharis. The book is organized into four major topics encompassing the evolution, ecology, chemistry, as well as environmental and medical applications of the genus. This publication is a major reference for an audience of practising researchers, academics, PhD students, and other scientists in a wide-ranging collection of fields, from Sociology to Medicine to bioeconomy.

In this translation of the French edition (L'U. de Saint-'etienne, 1999), the author treats the interrelated factors that inform plants' adaptations to their environments. Applying ecophysiological principles to identify mechanisms of dysfunction in ecosystems, he presents data-based cases for: less stressful growing methods (e.g., using cultivars that require less water and polluting fertilizers); confining genetically modified organisms to the lab; and reality-based holistic studies.

Plants are forced to adapt for a variety of reasons protection, reproductive viability, and environmental and climatic changes. Computational tools and molecular advances have provided researchers with significant new insights into the molecular basis of plant adaptation. Molecular Mechanisms in Plant Adaptation provides a comprehensive overview of a wide variety of these different mechanisms underlying adaptation to these challenges to plant survival. Molecular Mechanisms in Plant Adaptation opens with a chapter that explores the latest technological advances used in plant adaptation research, providing readers with an overview of high-throughput technologies and their applications. The chapters that follow cover the latest developments on using natural variation to dissect genetic, epigenetic and metabolic responses of plant adaptation. Subsequent chapters describe plant responses to biotic and abiotic stressors and adaptive reproductive strategies. Emerging topics such as secondary metabolism, small RNA mediated regulation as well as cell type specific responses to stresses are given special precedence. The book ends with chapters introducing computational approaches to study adaptation and focusing on how to apply laboratory findings to field studies and breeding programs. Molecular Mechanisms in Plant Adaptation interest plant molecular biologists and physiologists, plant stress biologists, plant geneticists and advanced plant biology students.

In semi arid and arid regions of the country, a vast land resource (39.54 m ha) is available which is underutilized, having good potential of expansion for quality production of several horticultural, medicinal, spices, ornamental and crops of economic importance. The horticulture can play vital role in diversification of these untapped natural resources. The development of arid horticulture is not very old; the published literature on many crops of economic importance and their multiplication is also scanty. Looking to prospects of such underutilized crop, its propagation methodology should be standardized for large scale plantation through availability of quality planting material. The work on production technology of underutilized arid horticultural crops in limited and scattered. Therefore, an effort was made to compile the work done so far in the field of multiplication of semi- arid and arid horticultural plants with special reference to Indian scenario in the form of a book to develop the knowledge base of all those involved in research and development of cold and hot arid lands. This book will be useful for the scientists, teachers, researchers, students, growers, policy makers and also for the personnel engaged in nursery management. The contributors of different s included in the book are well known personality in their field.

This book focuses on the conventional breeding approach, and on the latest high-throughput genomics tools and genetic engineering / biotechnological interventions used to improve rice quality. It is the first book to exclusively focus on rice as a major food crop and the application of genomics and genetic engineering approaches to achieve enhanced rice quality in terms of tolerance to various abiotic stresses, resistance to biotic stresses, herbicide resistance, nutritional value, photosynthetic performance, nitrogen use efficiency, and grain yield. The range of topics is quite broad and exhaustive, making the book an essential reference guide for researchers and scientists around the globe who are working in the field of rice genomics and biotechnology. In addition, it provides a road map for rice quality improvement that plant breeders and agriculturists can actively consult to achieve better crop production.

Contents:
1. Introduction to the Genus 2. Analysis and Quality Control of Commercial Artemisia Species 3. Artemisia absinthium 4. Artemisia dracunculus 5. Artemisia herba-alba 6. Ethnobothany, Phytochemistry and Biological/Pharmacological Activities of Artemisia ludoviciana ssp. Mexicana (Estafiate) 7. Artemisia pallens 8. Artemisia vulgaris 9. Artemisia Species in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Discovery of Artemisinin 10. Cultivation of Artemisia annua L. 11. variation and Heritability of Artemisinin Content in Artemisia annua L. 12. Phytochemistry of Artemisia annua and the Development of Artemisinin-Derived Antimalarial Agents 13. The Mode of Action of Artemisinin and its Derivatives 14. The Clinical Use of Artemisinin and its Derivatives in the Treatment of Malaria 15. Regulation of the Quality and Use of Artemisinin and its Derivatives

Plant biotechnology has now become a key tool in improving crop productivity and enhancing commercial value of plant products. The book complies various methods of in vitro propagation and genetic manipulation of important aromatic and medicinal plants. It puts together latest techniques and innovations in the field of plant biotechnology such as effective protocols of genetic manipulation, isolation of secondary metabolites, use of somaclonal variation, stress management in plants. It also explores the role of various physiological and biochemical factors affecting the genetic stability of in-vitro cultured plants. These themes are of interest to both graduate and postgraduate students. Further this book will be useful for to researchers, academicians and industrialist to review latest progress and future prospects of these technologies.