For centuries orchids have been among the most popular of plant families, with thousands of species and hybrids cultivated worldwide for the diversity, beauty, and intricacy of their flowers. The Genera Orchidacearum series represents a robust and natural classification of the orchids, something that has eluded plant scientists and orchid enthusiasts for years. The editors, who are all distinguished orchid specialists, incorporate a wealth of new DNA data into a truly phylogenetic classification, identifying the areas and taxa that merit additional work. To this end, they have invited several international specialists to contribute in their particular areas of expertise. Each volume provides comprehensive coverage of one or two orchid subfamilies, and the series as a whole will be an indispensable reference tool for scientists, orchid breeders, and growers. Orchidaceae is the largest monocotyledon family and perhaps the largest plant family in terms of number of species, approximately 25,000. Although the fossil record is limited, active molecular research in recent years has unravelled many of the complexities and phylogenetics of this cosmopolitan plant family. This sixth and final volume treats 140 genera in tribes Dendrobieae and Vandeae of the largest subfamily, Epidendroideae, including some of the showiest orchids often used in hybridizing. Comprehensive treatments are provided for each genus, which include complete nomenclature, description, distribution (with map), anatomy, palynology, cytogenetics, phytochemistry, phylogenetics, pollination, ecology, and economic uses. Cultivation notes are included for those genera known to be in hobbyist collections. Genera are beautifully illustrated with line drawings and colour photographs. An Addendum updates a few generic accounts published in past volumes. A cumulative glossary, list of generic synonyms with their equivalents, and list of all series contributors round out this final volume in the series.

Plant breeding is the art and science of changing the genetics of plants for the benefit of humankind. A major goal of plant breeders is to select genotypes with stable and high performing phenotypes across environments. However, a selected genotype often performs differently across environments. This book presents a comprehensive review of various stability analysis methods and their application in plant breeding for selection of stable and high performing genotypes. Additionally, efficient methods to produce doubled haploid plants and to provide embryogenic suitable haploid cells systems are needed for future genetic manipulations and breeding in bread and durum wheat. This book describes a new stress in durum wheat, for its effectiveness to induce embryogenesis and regeneration plants. Along with its implications for plant selection, the methods used for dose-response variation are also explored, as well as the relationship between genetic variation and changes in dose-response behaviour. Other chapters in this book discuss the breeding strategy of self-incompatibility, an evolutionary force to preserve genetic variability in plants, the pros and cons of marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding along with its future prospects, and the use of Joint Regression Analysis (JRA) in the management of plant breeding programs.

Plant biotechnology applies to three major areas of plants and their uses: (1) control of plant growth and development; (2) protection of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses; and (3) expansion of ways by which specialty foods, biochemicals, and pharmaceuticals are produced. The topic of recent advances in plant biotechnology is ripe for consideration because of the rapid developments in this ?eld that have revolutionized our concepts of sustainable food production, cost-effective alt- native energy strategies, environmental bioremediation, and production of pla- derived medicines through plant cell biotechnology. Many of the more traditional approaches to plant biotechnology are woefully out of date and even obsolete. Fresh approaches are therefore required. To this end, we have brought together a group of contributors who address the most recent advances in plant biotechnology and what they mean for human progress, and hopefully, a more sustainable future. Achievements today in plant biotechnology have already surpassed all previous expectations. These are based on promising accomplishments in the last several decades and the fact that plant biotechnology has emerged as an exciting area of research by creating unprecedented opportunities for the manipulation of biological systems. In connection with its recent advances, plant biotechnology now allows for the transfer of a greater variety of genetic information in a more precise, controlled manner. The potential for improving plant productivity and its proper use in agric- ture relies largely on newly developed DNA biotechnology and molecular markers.

As increasing global population and continuing economic development ensure the need for further production and cultivation of maize, the necessity of the application of transgenic technology to this model species and crop plant grows steadily. In Transgenic Maize: Methods and Protocols, experts in the various disciplines of the field contribute readily reproducible protocols covering such topics as transformation methods, transgenic maize in research, the analysis of transgenic plants, and breeding with transgenes. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology(TM) series format, the chapters present brief introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Cutting-edge and easy to use, Transgenic Maize: Methods and Protocols will greatly aid researchers wishing to use these procedures in their own laboratories, and will provide readers with a better understanding of the experiments being performed by cooperators or fee-for-service labs.

The first volume to address the study of evolutionary transitions in plants, "Major Evolutionary Transitions in Flowering Plant Reproduction" brings together compelling work from the three areas of significant innovation in plant biology: evolution and adaptation in flowers and pollination, mating patterns and gender strategies, and asexual reproduction and polyploidy. Spencer C. H. Barrett assembles here a distinguished group of authors who address evolutionary transitions using comparative and phylogenetic approaches, the tools of genomics, population genetics, and theoretical modeling, and through studies in development and field experiments in ecology. With special focus on evolutionary transitions and shifts in reproductive characters--key elements of biological diversification and research in evolutionary biology--"Major Evolutionary Transitions in Flowering Plant Reproduction "is the most up-to-date treatment of a fast-moving area of evolutionary biology and ecology. ""

This book delves in detail the intimate functioning of the flower, whether it is on the biochemical, cellular, molecular, or the organism scale. It explains the form and function of the flower, not only from the physiology and developmental biology as-pects, but also from ecology and evolutionary sciences, integrating genetic, demo-graphic, and biogeographical perspectives.

The processes and mechanisms that control the growth of woody plants are of crucial importance for both economic and biological reasons. The comprehensive coverage of Growth Control in Woody Plants includes discussion of the growth controlling factors in both reproductive structures (flowers, fruit, seeds, pollen, etc.) and vegetative organs (stems, branches, leaves, and roots). Other major topics covered include seed germination, seedling growth, physiological and environmental regulation of growth, cultural practices, and biotechnology.
This comprehensive treatment of the many factors that control the growth of woody plants can serve both as a valuable text and as a frequently used reference.
* Includes comprehensive representation of a broad subject
* Provides thorough bibliographic coverage
* Well illustrated
* Serves as a vital companion to Physiology of Woody Plants, Second Edition

This book focuses on the production technology of temperate nuts. It explores cultivar and plant improvement, development and selection of rootstocks, plant–water relations and irrigation, canopy architecture, and postharvest packaging of nut fruits. It also deals with organic approaches, biotechnological interventions, diseases, and pest management. Contributing authors address nut fruits such as walnut, pecan nut, chestnut, and hazel nut on different recent aspects. The development achieved in the fruit sector is indicative of the fact that there is growing demand of fruit produce. Temperate nuts with health benefits and market acceptability have best sources of fat, fiber, protein, and mineral. They provide dietary fiber, potassium, and a variety of health-protective bioactive compounds. Apart from the health benefits, production of temperate nuts improves the economy of the country as these are very good source of income and employment. In addition, there is wide diversification in the production pattern of nuts globally. Increased production technology such as hybrids, high-yielding selections/ varieties, improved propagation techniques, and increased use of fertilizers and manures have brought spectacular increase in the production of nut fruits. This book is of interest to teachers, scientists, researchers, and scholars. Also, the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and postgraduate students of agriculture and horticulture. Horticulture nurseries and orchard industries also find this to be a useful read.

This book covers important topics on various neglected and underutilised crops (vegetables, cereals, fruit crops). It gives an overview of the potential, availability of genetic and genomic resources, and the future prospects of these food crops. The book presents different chapters on the importance of underutilised crops with respect to sustainable agriculture and describes the approaches that must be followed for improving the yield and production of these crops. It covers a wide range of food crops such as millet, buckwheat, underutilised spices, underutilised vegetables and underutilised fruit crops. It also provides insights on what smart foods are? And, whether these neglected crops qualify as smart foods? This up-to-date and informative book is meant for food scientists, geneticists, breeders and biotechnologists. It is of interest to students, researchers and course instructors in these fields.