The volumes of this classic series now referred to simply as "Zechmeister" after its founder, L. Zechmeister, have appeared under the "Springer Imprint" ever since the series' inauguration in 1938. The volumes contain contributions on various topics related to the origin, distribution, chemistry, synthesis, biochemistry, function or use of various classes of naturally occurring substances ranging from small molecules to biopolymers. Each contribution is written by a recognized authority in his field and provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the topic in question. Addressed to biologists, technologists, and chemists alike, the series can be used by the expert as a source of information and literature citations and by the non-expert as a means of orientation in a rapidly developing discipline.

Saponins and Plant Defense; A.E. Osbourn, et al. Role of Toxins in Plant Microbial Interactions; S.P. McCormick, et al. Active Oxygen in Fungal Pathogenesis of Plants; The Role of Cercosporin in Cercospora Diseases; M.E. Daub, et al. Tree-Fungus Interactions in Ectomycorrhizal Symbiosis; R.T. Koide. Allelochemicals in Root Exudates of Maize: Effects on Root Lesion Nematode Pratylenchus Zeae; A. Friebe, et al. Chemical Signals in the Plant-Nematde Interaction: A Complex System? G. Gheysen. Salicylic Acid-Mediated Signal Transduction in Plant Disease Resistance; D.F. Klessig, et al. Biosynthesis of Rhizobial Exopolysaccharides and Their Role in the Root Nodule Symbiosis of Leguminous Plants; W.A.T. van Workum, J.W. Kijne. Flavonoids as Regulators of Plant Development: New Insights from Studies of Plant-Rhizobia Interactions; H.P. Spaink. Fatty Acid-Derived Signaling Molecules in the Interaction of Plants with Their Environment; E.W. Weiler, et al. Interactions BetweenAgrobacterium Tumefacients and Plant Cells; P. Bundock, P. Hooykaas. Wound and Defense Responses in Cassava as Related to Post-Harvest Physiological Deterioration; J.R. Beeching, et al. Index.

To date, several possibilities exist to change the genetics of plants including classical breeding and modern molecular biological approaches such as recombinant DNA techniques and plant trans formation methods. The aim of this publication is to review the feasibilities, offered by the current technologies, to modify flower colours. Due to the great importance of anthocyanins as flower pigments, the main part of this study deals with this class of flavonoids responsible for most red-, purple- and blue colours. Being electron deficient, the flavylium nucleus of the anthocyanins is highly reactive and undergoes - dependent upon pH - readily structural transformations which are coupled with colour changes. A number of mechanisms that stabilizes the coloured - at expense of the colourless structures in plants are described, including acylation, co pigmentation and metal complex formation. Because no plant species possesses the genetic capacity for producing varieties in the full spectrum of colours, man has looked for methods to change the genetic properties of plants. In recent years, conventional flower breeding is more and more being supplemented by genetic engineering techniques. This technology offers the possibility to insert specific genes into the cell genome and to transfer genes most efficiently between different organisms. The common flower pigments, the anthocyanins, have been studied for many years and represent now the best understood group of secondary plant metabolites with respect to (bio)chemistry and genetics."