Glutathione is a thiol-containing tripeptide, which appears to be present in nearly all living organisms and which is involved in many important metabolic and physiological processes. The present volume focuses on the biological significance of glutathione in plants. The biochemistry and the metabolism of glutathione are reviewed, and its role in sulphur and selenium metabolism in plants is discussed. The significance of glutathione and of glutathione-related enzymes in the adaptation to natural stress, heavy metals, xenobiotics, air pollution, and in plant-pathogen and plant-animal interactions are evaluated. The main aim of this second volume in the series Plant Ecophysiology is to raise the interest of advanced students and junior researchers in the role of glutathione in plants and to supply basic and comprehensive information for scientists already working on related topics.

In the present scenario, stresses induced due to global environmental change have indeed become a focal point of researches and study programmes worldwide. Stress caused to plant life has an important consequence to both, vegetation as such and all other global cycles which sustain this living earth'. Unlike other already existing works this volume elucidates the plant-pollutant relationship in a manner that defines not only the drastic effects of pollutants on plants but concomitantly highlights the hitherto less focused areas namely phytoindication, phytoremediation and stress tolerant bioaesthetic development, thus concentrating more on plant than pollutant. The book would help understand the magnitude of environmental stress in the coming years and may play a formative role in defining future research and policy areas along with providing impetus to development of newer eco-technologies. The book shall interest both students and researchers of environmental sciences, ecology, forestry and related disciplines as well as persons and organisations engaged in environmental management and eco-conservation.

In the present scenario, stresses induced due to global environmental change have indeed become a focal point of researches and study programmes worldwide. Stress caused to plant life has an important consequence to both, vegetation as such and all other global cycles which sustain this living earth'. Unlike other already existing works this volume elucidates the plant-pollutant relationship in a manner that defines not only the drastic effects of pollutants on plants but concomitantly highlights the hitherto less focused areas namely phytoindication, phytoremediation and stress tolerant bioaesthetic development, thus concentrating more on plant than pollutant. The book would help understand the magnitude of environmental stress in the coming years and may play a formative role in defining future research and policy areas along with providing impetus to development of newer eco-technologies. The book shall interest both students and researchers of environmental sciences, ecology, forestry and related disciplines as well as persons and organisations engaged in environmental management and eco-conservation.

Glutathione is a thiol-containing tripeptide, which appears to be present in nearly all living organisms and which is involved in many important metabolic and physiological processes. The present volume focuses on the biological significance of glutathione in plants. The biochemistry and the metabolism of glutathione are reviewed, and its role in sulphur and selenium metabolism in plants is discussed. The significance of glutathione and of glutathione-related enzymes in the adaptation to natural stress, heavy metals, xenobiotics, air pollution, and in plant-pathogen and plant-animal interactions are evaluated. The main aim of this second volume in the series Plant Ecophysiology is to raise the interest of advanced students and junior researchers in the role of glutathione in plants and to supply basic and comprehensive information for scientists already working on related topics.