"...a well-curated collection of chapters that provides a broad state-of-the-art survey of how roots contribute to plant crop performance and edaphic stress tolerance...Given the urgency to deploy sustainable and resilient agricultural technologies, this excellent collection demonstrates how novel approaches and collaborative trans-disciplinarity can prepare the field of root biology for transformative, real-world impacts." (Annals of Botany) Recent decades have seen a dramatic increase in research on plant roots. A deeper understanding of the complex ways roots interact with soils is making it possible to 'design' roots to optimise nutrient/water uptake in low-input environments, as well as deliver other benefits such as improved soil health and reduced nutrient leaching. Continued research is needed in this important area so that it can contribute to more sustainable, 'climate-smart' crop production. Understanding and improving crop root function features authoritative reviews of current research in all aspects of root science, including root growth regulators, root anatomy, nutrient acquisition and root system architecture. This collection discusses the responses of plant roots to abiotic and biotic stresses and how understanding nutrient uptake can be exploited to optimise root function. The book concludes with a dedicated section on methods used to improve crop root function and crop nutrient use efficiency, such as the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). With its eminent editor and international array of expert authors, Understanding and improving crop root function will be a standard reference for university researchers in crop physiology and nutrition, government and other agencies supporting agriculture, companies supplying crop nutrition products and services, as well as farmers.

This is an excellent book, which will be of value to all those health professionals seeking to demystify the sometimes intimidating area of research. Well organised, comprehensive, and clearly written, it is indeed a 'handbook'; it has a clear, step by step approach with many practical examples. It is suitable for researchers across the range of health disciplines, and the authors are to be congratulated for what will become an important resource.Professor Frank Oberklaid, Director, Centre for Community Child HealthUniversity of Melbourne/Royal Children's HospitalThis book will clearly be a great help to young, and to some extent, experienced research workers focusing on epidemiological and clinical questions framed either in terms of the broad community or patient groups. I recommend it warmly.Professor Stephen Leeder, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of SydneyHigh quality clinical research is a cornerstone of effective health care and much good research is undertaken by clinicians. Yet many of the resources available on research methods are highly theoretical and inaccessible.Written in a user-friendly style by a team of experienced clinical researchers, Health Science Research guides readers through the fundamentals of clinical inquiry. It outlines the steps needed to plan a study, recruit and select subjects, gather and analyse data, and report on results. The authors also explain how to deal ethically with interviewees, and how to prepare a grant application.Health Science Research is an indispensable guide for anyone who needs to undertake a clinical study, including physicians, nurses, allied health workers, scientists and research assistants.Jennifer Peat is Hospital Statistician in the Clinical Epidemiology Unit at the New Children's Hospital, Westmead, and Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Sydney. Katrina Williams and Professor Craig Mellis are from the same Hospital and Department, and Wei Xuan is from the Department of Medicine, University of Sydney.