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Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Botany & plant sciences > Plant physiology > General
capable of providing at least a relative measure of stomatal
aperture were first used shortly thereafter (Darwin and Pertz,
1911). The Carnegie Institution of Washington's Desert Research
Laboratory in Tucson from 1905 to 1927 was the first effort by
plant physiologists and ecologists to conduct team research on the
water relations of desert plants. Measurements by Stocker in the
North African deserts and Indonesia (Stocker, 1928, 1935) and by
Lundegardh (1922) in forest understories were pioneering attempts
to understand the environmental controls on photosynthesis in the
field. While these early physiological ecologists were keen
observers and often posed hypotheses still relevant today they were
strongly limited by the methods and technologies available to them.
Their measurements provided only rough approximations of the actual
plant responses. The available laboratory equip ment was either
unsuited or much more difficult to operate under field than
laboratory conditions. Laboratory physiologists distrusted the
results and ecologists were largely not persuaded of its relevance.
Consequently, it was not until the 1950s and 1960s that
physiological ecology began its current resurgence. While the
reasons for this are complicated, the development and application
of more sophisticated instruments such as the infrared gas analyzer
played a major role. In addition, the development of
micrometeorology led to new methods of characterizing the plant
environments."
Plant molecular biology is rapidly becoming an important and
successful component of the worldwide research challenge to apply
basic biochemical, physiological and genetic techniques for the
improvement of agricultural crops. This book shows how the study of
fundamental plant physiological processes is being advanced through
the science of genetics. The author has adopted a case study
approach to illustrate how defined genetic materials in mutants and
plant variants are being productively used to explore
photosynthesis, stress tolerance, seed physiology, and flowering
and reproductive morphology. This approach also helps avoid
overwhelming readers who might be unfamiliar with the enormous
detail now available in this burgeoning field. The case studies
cover all major fields of plant physiology and are grouped in a
format familiar to students of the discipline. Most take the form
of a brief introduction followed by a discussion of the isolation
and characterization of the mutants in question, and then by
examples of how these mutants have been used to provide
physiological insights. The aim is to make the information
accessible to students with an elementary knowledge of plant
physiology, genetics, and molecular biology, as well as other
scientists and students who wish to know more about the application
of the powerful tools provided by genetics.
The beauty of a knotty oak tree is different from that of a lovely
flower. It is the rough beauty of an old soldier's face showing the
traces of wind and sun, of harm and of victory, bearing the scars
of bygone battles. It is different from the fragile, delicate
beauty of a young girl which is evident to anyone at first sight.
The beauty of an old and crippled tree is hidden unless perceived
by the alert eye which is able to fancy or rather discern the hard
trials of life the tree has ex perienced. Contemplating trees in
this way is not much different from busying oneself with
physiognomies, i.e. with the art of judging character from the
features of the human face. Physiognomies is often considered a
dubious science, but is prac ticed every day in human communication
by everybody from early childhood to old age. Although we all are
able to discern the angrily furrowed brow, the laughing crow's-feet
below the eyes, the arrogant harsh lines around the nose, the hard
narrow mouth, the gluttonous lip, and the secret eye of the silent
ob server, we would never admit to rely on such seemingly doubtful
methods."
This handbook is intended as an introductory guide to students at
all levels on the principles and practice of plant growth analysis.
Many have found this quantitative approach to be useful in the
description and interpretation of the performance of whole plant
systems grown under natural, semi-natural or controlled conditions.
Most of the methods described require only simple experimental data
and facilities. For the classical approach, GCSE biology and
mathematics (or their equivalents) are the only theoretical
backgrounds required. For the functional approach, a little
calculus and statistical theory is needed. All of the topics
regarding the quantitative basis of productivity recently
introduced to the Biology A-level syllabus by the Joint
Matriculation Board are covered. The booklet replaces my elementary
Plant Growth Analysis (1978, London: Edward Arnold) which is now
out of print. The presentation is very basic indeed; the opening
pages give only essential outlines of the main issues. They are
followed by brief, standardized accounts of each growth-analytical
concept taken in turn. The illustrations deal more with the
properties of well-grown material than with the effects of specific
environmental changes, even though that is where much of the
subject's interest lies. However, detailed references to the
relevant parts of more com prehensive works appear throughout, and
a later section on 'Inter relations' adds perspective. Some
'Questions and answers' may also help to show what topics will
arise if the subject is pursued further."
Plant cell and tissue culture comprises a broad range of techniques
of great value to research workers in the fields of cell and
molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, plant breeding and
propagation and genetic engineering. This manual provides protocols
for the major techniques in such a format that they can be followed
step-by-step at the bench. Both applied and more fundamental uses
of cell, tissue and organ culture are covered, and the ring-binder
design allows the manual to be updated regularly with supplementary
chapters. Each chapter, discussing a single technique or protocol,
provides background information, references to the relevant
literature and a guide to troubleshooting in addition to a thorough
methodology. This second Supplement to the core text of the
"Manual" provides important techniques to be added to the Sections
on "Basic Techniques, Tissue Culture & Transformation of Crop
Species and Reproductive Tissues".
The first edition of The Science of Photobiology was published in
1977, and was the first textbook to cover all of the major areas of
photobiology. The science of photobiology is currently divided into
14 subspecialty areas by the American Society for Photobiology. In
this edition, however, the topics of phototechnology and
spectroscopy have been com bined in a new chapter entitled
"Photophysics." The other subspecialty areas remain the same, i.e.,
Photochemistry, Photosensitization, UV Radiation Effects,
Environmental Photobiology, Photomedicine, Circadian Rhythms,
Extraretinal Photoreception, Vision, Photomorphogenesis,
Photomovement, Photosynthesis, and Bioluminescence. This book has
been written as a textbook to introduce the science of photobiology
to advanced undergraduate and graduate students. The chapters are
written to provide a broad overview of each topic. They are
designed to contain the amount of information that might be
presented in a one-to two-hour general lecture. The references are
not meant to be exhaustive, but key references are included to give
students an entry into the literature. Frequently a more recent
reference that reviews the literature will be cited rather than the
first paper by the author making the original discovery. The
chapters are not meant to be a repository of facts for research
workers in the field, but rather are concerned with demon strating
the importance of each specialty area of photobiology, and
documenting its relevance to current and/or future problems of
man."
The germination of seeds is a magical event, in which a pinch of
dust-like material may give rise to all the power and the beauty of
the growing plant. The mechanisms of seed dormancy, of the breaking
of seed dormancy and of germination itself continue to remain
shrouded in mystery, despite the best efforts of plant scientists.
Perhaps we are getting there, but very slowly. This book considers
germination and dormancy from the point of view of plant
physiology. Plant physiologists attempt to understand the relation
ship between plant form and function and to explain, in physical
and chemical terms, plant growth and development. The place of
germination and dormancy in plant ecophysiology is taken into
account with attempts to understand the seed in its .environment,
whether the environment be natural, semi-natural or wholly
artificial. In due course plant scientists hope to develop a
precise understanding of germination and dormancy in cellular and
molecular terms, and therefore there is some biochemistry in this
book. Biochemists who wish to learn something about seeds should
find this book useful."
This edited book brings out a comprehensive collection of
information on the modern omics-based research. The main focus of
this book is to educate researchers about utility of omics-based
technologies in rapid crop improvement. In last two decades, omics
technologies have been utilized significantly in the area of plant
sciences and has shown promising results. Omics technology has
potential to address the challenge of food security in the near
future. The comprehensive use of omics technology occurred in last
two decades and helped greatly in the understanding of complex
biological problems, improve crop productivity and ensure
sustainable use of ecosystem services. This book is of interest to
researchers and students of life sciences, biotechnology, plant
biotechnology, agriculture, forestry, and environmental sciences.
It is also a useful knowledge resource for national and
international agricultural scientists.
It is perhaps not surprising that plants have evolved with a
mechanism to sense the light environment around them and modify
growth for optimal use of the available 'life-giving' light. Green
plants and ultimately all forms of life depend on the energy of
sunlight, fixed in the process of photosynthesis. By appreciating
the quality, quantity, direction and duration of light, plants are
able to optimize growth and control such complex processes as
germination and flowering. To perceive the light environment a
number of receptors have evolved, including the red/far-red
light-absorbing phytochrome, the blue/UV-A light-absorbing
cryptochrome and a UV-B light-absorbing pigment. The isolation and
charac terization of phytochrome is a classic example of how use of
photobiological techniques can predict the nature of an unknown
photoreceptor. The current knowledge of phytochrome is found in
Part 2 and that of cryptochrome and other blue/UV absorbing
receptors in Part 3. Part 4 concerns the light environ ment and its
perception. Part 5 consists of selected physiological responses:
photomodulation of growth, phototropism, photobiology of stomatal
move ments, photomovement, photocontrol of seed germination and
photocontrol of flavonoid biosyntheses. Further topics in Part 6
are the photobiology of fungi, a genetic approach to
photomorphogenesis and coaction between pigment systems. Our plan
was to produce an advanced textbook which took a broad inter
disciplinary approach to this field of photomorphogenesis."
There are many recent works on the topic of light and plant growth.
These have not only been written by experts, but are also, in the
main, written for experts (or, at least, for those who already have
a fair understanding of the subject). This book has its origins in
a six-week course in plant photophysiology, and its aim is to
provide an introduction to the subject at an advanced undergraduate
level. The imagined audience is simply a student who has asked the
questions: In what ways does light affect plant growth, and how
does it do it? The book is limited to aspects of
photomorphogenesis. Photo synthesis is only considered where its
pigments impinge on photo morphogenic investigations, or where its
processes provide illustrative examples of particular interactions
between light and biological material. Chapter 1 gives a general
account of the various ways in which light affects plant
development, and introduces topics which are subsequently covered
in greater detail. In all the chapters, are special topic 'boxes',
consisting of squared-off sections of text. These are simply
devices for presenting explanatory background material, or material
that I myself find particularly intriguing.
The tenth volume of Water-in-Plants Bibl iography includes papers
in al I fields of plant water relations research which appeared
during the year 1984 - from theoreti cal considerations about the
state of water in cel Is and its membrane transport to drought
resistance of plants or physiological significance of irrigation.
In addition to papers devoted entirely to plant water relations,
papers on other topics are in cluded if they contain data on plant
hydration level, water vapour efflux, rate of water uptake or water
transport, etc., or if they contain valuable methodological in
formation (measurement of selected microclimatic factors, soi I
moisture etc.). We have tried to cover fully the relevant papers
which have been publ ished in important scientific periodicals and
books. Articles appeared in local journals, mimeographed booklets,
abstracts of thesis and of symposia contributions, etc., were
chosen mostly from reprints received directly from authors. The
courtesy of those is highly appreciated. The manuscript is usually
prepared in May and June of the year fol lowing the year which it
covers. Unfortunately some reprints come later and thus the
respective references appear in the fol lowing volume, with one
year delay. To maximize the value of the bibl iography the
references are arranged alphabetic ally according to the authors'
names, and each volume is provided with three indexes."
There is at present a surge of interest in plant biochemistry, as
the gaps in our knowledge are seen as a major impediment to
progress, especially in such areas as genetic engineering.
Techniques for the transfer of genes in plants are well advanced,
and the question has become not how to transfer the genes, but
which genes should be moved. To be able to answer this question, it
is necessary to know the pathways, and to have purified and
characterized the enzymes that catalyse these pathways. In the
cases that have been studied, fundamental differences between the
biochemistry of plants and animals have been found. This book
discusses the subject of plant energetics as it is known now, and
compares our knowledge of plants with that of animals. This book
should be of interest to advanced undergraduates and postgraduates
in plant biochemistry and physiology.
The ninth volume of Water-in-Plants Bibi iography includes papers
in al I fields of plant water relations research which appeared
during the year 1983. - from theoreti cal considerations about the
state of water in cel 15 and its membrane transport to drought
resistance of plants or physiological significance of irrigation.
In addition to papers devoted entirely to plant water relations,
papers on other topics are in cluded if they contain data on plant
hydration level, water vapour efflux, rate of water uptake or water
transport, etc., or if they contain valuable methodological in
formation (measurement of selected microclimatic factors, soi I
moisture etc. l. We have tried to cover ful Iy the relevant papers
which have been publ ished in important scientific periodicals and
books. Articles appeared in local journals, mimeographed booklets,
abstracts of thesis and of symposia contributions, etc., were
chosen mostly from reprints received directly from authors. The
courtesy of those is highly appreciated. The manuscript is usual Iy
prepared in May and June of the year fol lowing the year which it
covers. Unfortunately some reprints come later and thus the
respective references appear in the fol lowing volume, with one
year delay. To maximize the value of the bibi iography the
references are arranged alphabetic al Iy according to the authors'
names, and each volume is provided with three indexes."
This is the first book to present a comprehensive and advanced
discussion on the latest insights into plant stress biology.
Starting with general aspects of biotic as well as abiotic
stresses, this handbook and ready reference moves on to focus on
topics of stress hormones, technical approaches such as proteomics,
transcriptomics and genomics, and their integration into systemic
modeling. This book is a valuable resource for researchers as well
as professionals not just in plant sciences but also in cell and
molecular biology as well as biotechnology.
Transgenic Plant Technology for Remediation of Toxic Metals and
Metalloids covers all the technical aspects of gene transfer, from
molecular methods, to field performance using a wide range of
plants and diverse abiotic stress factors. It describes
methodologies that are well established as a key resource for
researchers, as well as a tool for training technicians and
students. This book is an essential reference for those in the
plant sciences, forestry, agriculture, microbiology, environmental
biology and plant biotechnology, and those using transgenic plant
models in such areas as molecular and cell biology, developmental
biology, stress physiology and phytoremediation.
The bibl iography includes papers in all f. ields of photosynthesis
research - from stu- dies of rrDdel biochemical and biophysical
systems of the photosynthesis mechanism to primary production
studied by the so-cal led growth analysis. In addition to papers
devoted entirely to photosynthesis, papers on other topics are
included if they con- tain data on photosynthetic activity,
photorespiration, chloroplast structure, chlo- rophyll and
carotenoid synthesis and destruction, etc. , or if they contain
valuable methodological information (measurement of selected
environmental factors, leaf area, etc. ). In many branches it has
been difficult to define the I imits of interest for photosynthesis
researchers. This pl-oblem has arisen e. g. in topics deal ing with
the transfer of gases, where - in addition to the papers on carbon
dioxide transfer - so- me papers on water vapour transfer are
included, these being of general appl ication or bringing new
approaches. On the other hand, many papers deal ing with the
anatomy and physiology of stomata have been omitted, if the aspect
of carbon dioxide or water vapour exchange has not been discussed.
This volume contains references to papers publ ished in the year
1979, and, similarly to Vol. 9, also addenda including references
published in the preceding peri- od (-i. e. 1966 to 1(78), The
numbers of these additional references are labelled with an
asterisk (*) in the I ist of references.
The seventh volume of Water-in-Plants Bibl iography includes papers
in al I fields of plant water relations research which appeared
during the year 1981 - from theoreti- cal considerations about the
state of water in cel Is and its membrane transport to drought
resistance of plants or physiological significance of irrigation.
In addition to papers devoted entirely to plant water relations,
papers on other topics are in- cluded if they contain data on plant
hydration level, water vapour efflux, rate of water uptake or water
transport, etc., or if they contain valuable methodological in-
formation (measurement of selected microcl imatic factors, soi I
moisture etc.). We have tried to cover fully the relevant papers
which have been publ ished in the most important scientific
periodicals and books. Articles appeared in local jour- nals,
mimeographed booklets, abstracts of thesis and of symposia
contributions, etc., were chosen mostly from reprints received
directly from authors. The courtesy of those authors who have
already suppl ied us with reprints and I ists of their publ ica-
tions is highly appreciated. The manuscript is usually prepared in
May and June of the year fol lowing the year which it covers.
Unfortunately some reprints come later and thus the respective
references appear in the fol lowing volume, with one year de- lay.
To maximize the value of the bib I iography the references are
arranged alphabetic- ally according to the authors' names, and each
volume is provided with three indexes.
The sixth volume of Water-in-Plants Bibl iography includes papers
in all fields of plant wa-rer relations research which appeared
during the year 1980 - from theore- tical considerations about the
state of water in cells and its membl"ane transport to drought
resistance of plants or physiological significance of irrigation.
In addition to papers devoted entirely to plant water I"elations,
papers on other topics are included if they contain data on plant
hydration level, water vapour efflux, ra- te of water uptake or
\'later transport, etc., or if they contain valuable methodolo-
gical informati-on (measurement of selected microcl imatic factors,
soi I nx:>isture, etc. ). We have tried to cover fully the
relevant papers whi ch have been publ ished in the rTDst important
scienti fie periodicals and books. Articles appeared in local
journals, mirreographed booklets, abstracts of thesis and of
symposia contributions, etc., were chosen rTDstly from reprints
received directly from authors. The courtesy of those authors who
have already supplied us with reprints and lists of their - bl
ications is highly appreciated. The manuscript is usually prepared
in ~1ay and June of the year 10110l,ing the year which it covers.
Unfortunataly some reprints come later and thus the respective
references appear in the following vol ume, with one year delay. To
maximize the value of the bibliography the references are alTanged
alphabeti- cally according to the authors' names, and each volume
is provided "ith three indexes.
The bib I iography includes papers in alI fields of photosynthesis
research - from stu- dies of model biochemical and biophysical
systems of the photosynthesis mechanism to primary production
studied by the so-cal led growth analysis. In addition to papers
devoted entirely to photosynthesis, papers on other topics are
included if they con- tain data on photosynthetic activity,
photorespiration, chloroplast structure, chlo- rophyl I and
carotenoid synthesis and destruction; etc. , or if they contain
valuable methodo I og i ca I information (measurement of se I ected
env i ronmenta I *factors, I eat area, etc. ). In many branches it
has been very difficult to define the I imits of interest for
photosynthesis researchers. This problem has arisen e. g. in topics
dealing with the transport of gases, where- in addition to the
papers on C0 transfer- some pa- 2 pers on water vapour transfer are
included, these being of general application. On the other hand,
many papers dealing with the anatomy and physiology of stomata have
been omitted, if the aspect of carbon dioxide or water vapour
exchange has not been discussed. This volume contains references to
papers pub I ished in the year 1976, and, similarly to Vol. 6, also
addenda including references pub I ished in the preceding period
(i. e. 1966- 1975 ). The numbers of these additional references are
label led with an asterisk in the I ist of references.
The bibl iography includes papers in al I fields of photosynthesis
research - from stu- dies of model biochemical and biophysical
systems of the photosynthesis mechanism to primary production
studied by the so-cal led growth analysis. In addition to papers
devoted entirely to photosynthesis, papers on other topics are
included if they con- tain data on photosynthetic activity,
photorespiration, chloroplast structure, chlo- rophyl I and
carotenoid synthesis and destruction, eta. , or if they contain
valuable methodological information (measurement of selected
environmental factors, leaf area, eta. ). In many branches it has
been difficult to define the I imits of interest for photosynthesis
researchers. This problem has arisen e. g. in topics deal ing with
the transfer of gases, where - in addition to the papers on carbon
dioxide transfer - so- me papers on water vapour transfer are
included, these being of general appl ication or bringing new
approaches. On the other hand, many papers deal ing with the
anatomy and physiology of stomata have been omitted, if the aspect
of carbon dioxide or water vapour exchange has not been discussed.
This volume contains references to papers publ ished in the year
1978, and, similarly to Vol. 8, also addenda including references
publ ished in the preceding peri- od (i. e. 1966 to 1977). The
numbers of these additional references are labelled with an
asterisk (*) in the I ist of references.
The bibl iography includes papers in al I fields of photosynthesis
research - from stu- dies of model biochemical and biophysical
systems of the photosynthesis mechanism to primary production
studied by the so-called growth analysis. In addition to papers
devoted entirely to photosynthesis, papers on other topics are
included if they con- tain data on photosynthetic activity,
photorespiration, chloroplast structure, chlo- rophyll and
carotenoid synthesis and destruction, etc. , or if they contain
valuable methodological information (measurement of selected
environmental factors, leaf area, etc. ). In many branches it has
been ver'y difficult to define the I imits of interest for
photosynthesis researchers. This problem has arisen e. g. in topics
deal ing with the transport of gases, where - in addition to the
papers on CO transfer - some pa- 2 pers on water vapour transfer
are included, these being of general appl ication. On the other
hand, many papers deal ing with the anatomy and physiology of
stomata have been omitted, if the aspect of carbon dioxide or water
vapour exchange has not been discussed. Th i s vo I ume conta i ns
references to papers pub I i shed in the year ,1975, and, simi
larly to Vol. 5, also addenda including references publ ished in
the preceding period (i. e. 1966 - 1974). The numbers of these
additional references are label led with an asterisk in the I ist
of references.
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