Plant biology Books

Book SynopsisThere is more folklore, mythology and magic associated with our trees and forests than with any other living things.Known throughout the world as dark and wild places where witches make mischief and eerie creatures dwell, forests are also places of sanctuary for the ancient magic and the most enchanting species of trees.Kew: Witch's Forest is a beautifully illustrated, captivating journey through the magical woodland and its stories, from birch broomsticks and the sacred olive, to alder doorways and the Tree of Life.Table of ContentsThe Ancient Groves • The World Tree • The Stations of the Year • The Managed Forest • The Enchanted Forest • Cures for the Body • The Sacred Grove • The Cunning Woman's Stillroom • The Dark Mirror • Trees of Hope

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times BestsellerA new, fully updated narrative edition of David Attenborough's seminal biography of our world, The Living Planet.Nowhere on our planet is devoid of life. Plants and animals thrive or survive within every extreme of climate and habitat that it offers. Single species, and often whole communities adapt to make the most of ice cap and tundra, forest and plain, desert, ocean and volcano. These adaptations can be truly extraordinary: fish that walk or lay eggs on leaves in mid-air; snakes that fly; flightless birds that graze like deer; and bears that grow hair on the soles of their feet.In The Living Planet, David Attenborough's searching eye, unfailing curiosity and infectious enthusiasm explain and illuminate the intricate lives of the these colonies, from the lonely heights of the Himalayas to the wild creatures that have established themselves in the most recent of environments, the city. By the end of this book it is difficult to say which is the more astonishing the ingenuity with which individual species contrive a living, or the complexity of their interdependence on each other and on the habitations provided by our planet.In this new edition, the author, with the help of zoologist Matthew Cobb, has added all the most up-to-date discoveries of ecology and biology, as well as a full-colour 64-page photography section. He also addresses the urgent issues facing our living planet: climate change, pollution and mass extinction of species.Trade ReviewPraise for the New Edition of Life on Earth: ‘It does not disappoint. The new Life on Earth is as glorious as the first’ Guardian ‘A beautiful and wide ranging work. The breadth of natural history covered is extraordinary and mesmerising. Life on Earth is still breathtakingly rich, and we would know far less about it were it not for Attenborough’s wonderful skills of communication over the years: our cultural and scientific lives would be poorer without him’ New Scientist ‘This natural history masterpiece offers a spectacular snapshot of a once-wild planet’ New Scientist Praise for David Attenborough: ‘A marvellous book … unputdownable … utterly engaging’ Telegraph ‘An elegant and gently funny writer’ The Times ‘His writing is as impressive and as enjoyable as his TV programmes and there can be no higher praise’ Daily Express ‘A great educator as well as a great naturalist’ Barack Obama ‘Sir David is a wizard of television, and, like Gandalf or Dumbledore, he has a near-magical gift for combining warmth and gravitas . . . the man who, for me, exemplifies the best in British broadcasting’ Louis Theroux ‘When I was a young boy I used to love turning on the television and watching David's programmes and really feeling like I was either back out in Africa or I was learning about something magical and almost out of this planet’ HRH Prince William

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Book SynopsisOne of the world's first tree-top scientists, Meg Lowman is both a pioneer in her field - she invented one of the first treetop walkways - and a tireless advocate for the planet. In a voice as infectious in its enthusiasm as in its practical optimism, The Arbornaut chronicles her irresistible story. From climbing solo hundreds of feet into Australia's rainforests to measuring tree growth in the northeastern United States, from searching the redwoods of the Pacific coast for new life to studying leaf-eaters in Scotland's Highlands, from a bioblitz in Malaysia to conservation planning in India to collaborating with priests in Ethiopia's last forests, Lowman launches us into the life and work of a scientist and ecologist. She also offers hope, specific plans and recommendations for action; despite devastation across the world, we can still make an immediate and lasting impact against climate change.Trade ReviewThe Arbornaut captures the magic of that little-known world with its pioneering stories and clear, informative text. Readers everywhere will be fascinated and inspired to learn more about nature, and especially about how we need to conserve the world's forests. -- Jane GoodallThe Arbornaut is about a shy girl who loved to play outdoors and became a scientist who educated the world about the abundant life in the treetops. I loved it. -- Temple GrandinThe Arbornaut is, true to its name, an account of intrepid exploration at the upper reaches of terrestrial life, where branches and foliage touch the sky and all creatures awake to the first morning rays of the sun. -- Wade Davis, author of INTO THE SILENCEThis is the most exciting and innovative way of introducing science that I have seen in many years. Everyone will want to read this book. Meg Lowman is starting a whole new movement exploring the treetops! -- E. O. Wilson, author of HALF-EARTH: OUR PLANET'S FIGHT FOR LIFEA passionate look at the 'unexplored wonderland' of trees... Lowman shines in her ability to combine accessible science with exciting personal anecdotes that effectively convey the "thrill of aerial exploration" and bolster her case that trees - and sustainable ecosystems - are worth studying, protecting, and preserving. Nature lovers will find much to consider. * Publishers Weekly *Table of Contents1: from wildflower to wallflower: a girl naturalist in rural america 2: becoming a forest detective: first encounters with temperate trees from new england to scotland 3: one hundred feet in the air: finding a way to study leaves in the australian rain forests 4: who ate my leaves?: tracking-and discovering!-australian insects 5: dieback in the outback: juggling marriage and investigations of gum tree death in australia's sheep country 6: hitting the glass canopy: how strangler figs and tall poppies taught me to survive as a woman in science 7: arbornauts for a week: citizen scientists explore the amazon jungles 8: tiger tracks, tree leopards, and vedippala fruits: exporting my toolkit to train arbornauts in india 9: a treetop bioblitz: counting 1,659 species in malaysia's tropical forests in ten days 10: building trust between priests and arbornauts: saving the forests of ethiopia, one church at a time 11: classrooms in the sky-for everyone!: wheelchairs and water bears in the treetops 12: can we save our last, best forests?: promoting conservation through mission green

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Book SynopsisBig Cat Phonics for Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised has been developed in collaboration with Wandle Learning Trust and Little Sutton Primary School. It comprises classroom resources to support the SSP programme and a range of phonic readers that together provide a consistent and highly effective approach to teaching phonics.

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Book Synopsis''A joy to read ... mind-expanding'' Book of the Week, Guardian''A bold and brave paean to our planet''s ligneous, leafy kingdom'' Telegraph''An impressive exploration and dazzling insight into the lives of plants'' Reaction Book Digest What is it like to be a plant?It''s not a question we might think to contemplate, even though many of us live surrounded by plants. Science has long explored the wonderful ways in which plants communicate, behave and shape their environments: from chemical warfare to turning their predators to cannibalism. But they''re usually just the backdrop to our frenetic animal lives.While plants may not have brains or move around as we do, cutting-edge science is revealing that they have astonishing inner worlds of an alternate kind to ours. They can plan ahead, learn, recognise their relatives, assess risks and make decisions. They can even be put to sleep. Innovative new tools might allow us to actually see them do these things - from electrophysiological recordings to MRI and PET scans. If you can look in the right way, a world full of drama unfurls.In PLANTA SAPIENS, Professor Paco Calvo offers a bold new perspective on plant biology and cognitive science. Using the latest scientific findings, Calvo challenges us to make an imaginative leap into a world that is so close and yet so alien - one that will expand our understanding of our own minds.From their rich subjective experiences to how they are inspiring novel ways of approaching the ecological crisis, PLANTA SAPIENS is a dazzling exploration of the lives of plants and a call to approach how we think about the natural world in a new, maverick way.Trade ReviewCalvo has a wonderfully infectious enthusiasm for his subject that makes this book, for all its complex science, a joy to read. He challenges us to set aside our 'zoocentric' perspective and to change our view of plants radically: from mechanisms akin to robots to complex organisms with a range of behaviours, responding to and anticipating their environments. In doing so, he has written a genuinely mind-expanding book -- Book of the Day * Guardian *PLANTA SAPIENS is [a] bold and brave paean to our planet's ligneous, leafy kingdom. I mostly relished the intellectual interrogation, the maverick thinking, and add my voice to his call to think beyond our prejudices and our anthropocentric indoctrination * Daily Telegraph *Deeply thought-provoking. PLANTA SAPIENS is a mind-opening meditation about the inner lives of plants. Whether you come away convinced that plants are conscious, or not, this book will change - and enrich - the way you look at the green life all around you -- Anil Seth, author of BEING YOUA manifesto inviting us to think about plants and our attitudes to them in revolutionary ways -- Helen Bynum * TLS *PLANTA SAPIENS presents 'fertile possibilities' to the public and in doing so it has put science on notice ... We should be delighted with Professor Calvo's seeding of scientific curiosity for the hope that it offers -- Diana Beresford-Kroeger, author of TO SPEAK FOR THE TREESWe are unimaginable without plants, yet surprisingly blind to their powers and behaviours. PLANTA SAPIENS weaves science and history into an absorbing exploration of the many ways that plants rise to the challenge of living -- Merlin Sheldrake, author of ENTANGLED LIFEAn impressive exploration and dazzling insight into the lives of plants * Reaction Book Digest *Are plants conscious? Before you say no, read this fascinating new book * @michaelpollan via Twitter, author of THIS IS YOUR MIND ON PLANTS *An important book * Observer *PLANTA SAPIENS offers an exciting and detailed look into research on plant intelligence and sets the standard for future studies in this important and forward-looking area -- Marc Bekoff, University of Colorado[PLANTA SAPIENS] takes readers on a journey into a seemingly alien world ... Read this fascinating book and your view of nature will never be the same again * The Countryman Magazine *A fascinating description of how plants interact with the environment in myriad ways ... This book will make people think and help them to become more aware that plants have abilities that they may not know about. And, perhaps most significant, that it is important to truly see everything around us -- Temple Grandin * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisPresents an overview of the Australian taxa, and documents 132 species of Septoria, its telemorph Mycosphaerella and six related genera. This work describes includes a comprehensive introduction to Septoria and its allies, followed by detailed descriptions and illustrations of each taxon.Table of Contents* The first authoritative identification guide to a significant genus of Australian plant-pathogenic fungi; * Detailed descriptions along with high-quality illustrations.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A monumental work by any standards, representing the combined knowledge and experience of renowned experts from across Europe. . . . A comprehensive catalogue of species, with beautiful full colour illustrations, sketches, diagrams and maps, is nothing short of breathtaking in its coverage."---David M. Gascoigne, Travels With Birds"A MUST-HAVE for anyone with a serious interest in aquatic plants of the region!"---Ian Paulsen, The Birdbooker Report

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Book SynopsisThis book brings together twelve chapters on fungal pathogens with the goal of presenting an overview of the current areas of activity and the common themes that pervade research on these important organisms. The timing of the book is appropriate because we have gained sufficient insight from molecular genetic analyses to begin to make some comparisons between different fungal pathogens and to discuss the key advances that have been made. The chapters provide a broad survey of the important topics in fungal pathogenesis including morphogenesis, virulence, avirulence, and signaling. The reader also will fmd clear discussions of parasitism, mutualism, symbiosis, evolution, phylogeny and ecology for those fungi where these issues are especially important. Finally, many of the chapters in this book illustrate the fact that we are on the verge of a revolution in our understanding of fungal pathogens because of the application of genomics to these organisms and their hosts. The fungi includeTrade Review`This book provides a broad spectrum of information. It is of special interest and can indeed be recommended for a readership from senior undergraduates to senior investigators working on fungal plant pathology.' Journal of Plant Physiology, 158:7 (2000) `...the volume can be recommended to the scientific community in plant pathology and especially to those interested in molecular aspects of host-pathogen interactions' Journal of Phytopathology, 149:7/8 (2001)Table of Contents1. Aspergillus Fumigatus; C. D'Enfert. 2. Infection Strategies of Botrytis cinerea and Related Necrotrophic Pathogens; T.W. Prins, et al. 3. Cladosporium fulvum, Cause of Leaf Mould of Tomato; R.P. Oliver, et al. 4. Evolution of Host Specific Virulence in Cochliobolus heterostrophus; B.G. Turgeon, S.-W. Lu. 5. Colletotrichum; M.B. Dickman. 6. Hypovirulence and Chestnut Blight: From the Field to the Laboratory; D.L. Nuss. 7. Insect Pathogenic Fungi: From Genes to Populations; M.J. Bidochka, et al. 8. Pathogenesis and Genome Organization of the Rice Blast Fungus; S. Kang, et al. 9. Phytophthora; S. Kamoun. 10. The Rust Fungi: Cytology, Physiology and Molecular Biology of Infection; M. Hahn. 11. Symbiotic Parasites and Mutualistic Pathogens; C.L. Schardl. 12. Ustilago maydis, the Causative Agent of Corn Smut Disease; R. Kahmann, et al. Index.

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Book SynopsisSince not only professional scientists, but also thousands of future scientists/students as well as amateur breeders around the world contribute heavily to the field of ornamental breeding, an introductory section dealing with the basics of molecular and classical genetics and the evolution of floral diversity is included.Table of ContentsPreface. Section one: Introduction to Classical and Molecular Genetics Evolution of Sexual Reproduction and Floral Diversity; R.J. Griesbach. Transmission Genetics; A. Ashri. Molecular Genetics: Gene Isolation, Characterization and Manipulation; B.R. Glick, D.M. Penrose. Section two: Classical Breeding. Breeding Methods and Breeding Researh; W. Horn. Interspecific Hybridization and Introgression; J.M. Van Tuyl, et al. Mutation Breeding of Vegetatively Propagated Ornamentals; A.M. Van Harten. Introduction of New Cut Flowers: Domestications of New Species and Introduction of New Traits Not Found in Commercial Varieties; D. Weiss. Tissue Culture for Ornamental Breeding; A.C. Cassells. Section three: Genetic Manipulation at the DNA Level. Gene Transfer to Plants; S.C. Deroles, et al. Molecular Approaches for Increasing Plant Resistance to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses; M. Lorito, et al. Molecular Control of Light Sensing in Plant Development; A. Samach, M. Pineiro. Molecular Control of Flower Development; M. Vishnevetsky, E.M. Meyerowitz. Molecular Control of Floral Pigmentation: Anthocyanins; H. Ben-Meir, et al. Molecular Control of Floral Pigmentation: Carotenoids; F.X. Cunningsham, Jr., E. Gantt. Molecular Control of Floral Fragrance; N. Dudareva. Molecular Genetics of Flower Senescence; J.E. Thompson, T.-W. Wang. Molecular Markers as a Tool for Analyses of Genetic Relatedness and Selection in Ornamentals; T. Debener. Plant-Specific Intellectual Property Rights; S. Berman. Index.

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Book SynopsisDiffusion of Innovation Theory and Integrated Pest Management.- Evaluation Research: Methodologies for Evaluation of IPM Programs.- Protocol for Economic Impact Evaluation of IPM Programs.- Economic Evaluation of Integrated Pest Management Programs.- Eliciting Farmer Knowledge, Attitudes, and~Practices in the Development of Integrated Pest Management Programs for Rice in Asia.- Implementing Integrated Pest Management in Developing and Developed Countries.- Moving On: Farmer Education in Integrated Insect Pest and Disease Management.- Impact of IPM Extension for Smallholder Farmers in the Tropics.- Impact of IPM Programs in Asian Agriculture.- Evolutionary Revolution: Implementing and Disseminating IPM in Indonesia.- Principles and Methods of Rice Lepidopteroid Pest and its Enemy Management (PEM) Program in North Vietnam.- Challenges of Integrated Pest Management in Sub-Saharan Africa.- Evaluating Dissemination and Impact of IPM: Lessons from Case Studies of Potato and Sweetpotato IPM iTable of ContentsDiffusion of Innovation Theory and Integrated Pest Management.- Evaluation Research: Methodologies for Evaluation of IPM Programs.- Protocol for Economic Impact Evaluation of IPM Programs.- Economic Evaluation of Integrated Pest Management Programs.- Eliciting Farmer Knowledge, Attitudes, and~Practices in the Development of Integrated Pest Management Programs for Rice in Asia.- Implementing Integrated Pest Management in Developing and Developed Countries.- Moving On: Farmer Education in Integrated Insect Pest and Disease Management.- Impact of IPM Extension for Smallholder Farmers in the Tropics.- Impact of IPM Programs in Asian Agriculture.- Evolutionary Revolution: Implementing and Disseminating IPM in Indonesia.- Principles and Methods of Rice Lepidopteroid Pest and its Enemy Management (PEM) Program in North Vietnam.- Challenges of Integrated Pest Management in Sub-Saharan Africa.- Evaluating Dissemination and Impact of IPM: Lessons from Case Studies of Potato and Sweetpotato IPM in Peru and Other Latin American Countries.- Integrated Pest Management in Europe – History, Policy, Achievements and Implementation.- IPM Programs in Commonwealth of Independent States and Russia.- Dissemination and Impact of IPM Programs in US Agriculture.- Advances with Integrated Pest Management as a Component of Sustainable Agriculture: The Case of the Australian Cotton Industry.- Impact of IPM and Transgenics in the Chinese Agriculture.- Can Transgenic Crops and IPM Be Compatible?.- Integrated Pest Management, Biofuels, and a New Green Revolution: A Case Study of the American Midwest.

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Book SynopsisPreface.- I. CONTEXT.- The Ecosystem Concept.- Earth's Climate System.- Geology, Soils, and Sediments.- II. MECHANISMS.- Water and Energy Balance.- Carbon Inputs to  Ecosystems.- Plant Carbon Budgets.- TerrDecomposition and Ecosystem Carbon Budgets.- Plant Nutrient Use.- Nutrient Cycling.- Trophic Dynamics.- Species Effects on Ecosystem Processes.- III. PATTERNS.- Temporal Dynamics.- Landscape Heterogeneity and Ecosystem Dynamics.- IV. INTEGRATION.- Changes in the Earth System.- Managing and Sustaining Ecosystem.- Abbreviations.- Glossary.- References.Trade ReviewReviews of the first edition:"This textbook includes 16 chapters, each ending with a summary, review questions and references to additional readings. … It is especially characterized by the great importance (250 pp.) which is attributed to abiotic aspects of ecosystem ecology and to production processes as well as nutrient cycling … . All these chapters are structured in an excellent and well organized way. … Altogether, the authors have well succeeded in writing a comprehensive textbook, mainly for graduate students." (Angelika Schwabe, Phytocoenologia, Vol. 34 (3), 2004)"This comprehensive textbook outlines the central processes that characterize terrestrial ecosystems, tracing the flow of water, carbon, and nutrients from their abiotic origins to their cycles through plants, animals, and decomposer organisms. … This book synthesizes current advances in ecology with established theory to offer a complete survey of ecosystem pattern and process in the terrestrial environment. … suitable for use in all courses on ecosystem ecology. Resource managers, land use managers, and researchers will also welcome its thorough presentation of ecosystem essentials." (Ethology, Ecology & Evolution, Vol. 15 (4), 2003)From the reviews of the second edition:“An outstanding textbook which, after definitions, sets the stage with primers on Earth’s climate system and geological processes. What follows is a magisterial and comprehensive account of the movements of water, energy, carbon and nutrients though natural systems. … authors delve into the finer detail and explain how biological processes can have important modulating effects through space and time. … The book is well written throughout and punctuated with excellent colour illustrations; no-one from undergraduates to established researchers can fail to learn something from it.” (Frontiers of Biogeography, Vol. 3 (3), 2011)Table of ContentsPreface.- I. CONTEXT.- The Ecosystem Concept.- Earth's Climate System.- Geology, Soils, and Sediments.- II. MECHANISMS.- Water and Energy Balance.- Carbon Inputs to Ecosystems.- Plant Carbon Budgets.- TerrDecomposition and Ecosystem Carbon Budgets.- Plant Nutrient Use.- Nutrient Cycling.- Trophic Dynamics.- Species Effects on Ecosystem Processes.- III. PATTERNS.- Temporal Dynamics.- Landscape Heterogeneity and Ecosystem Dynamics.- IV. INTEGRATION.- Changes in the Earth System.- Managing and Sustaining Ecosystem.- Abbreviations.- Glossary.- References.

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Book SynopsisStructure and Composition.- Development and Maturation.- Synthesis of Storage Reserves.- Germination.- Mobilization of Stored Reserves.- Dormancy and the Control of Germination.- Environmental Regulation of Dormancy and Germination.- Longevity, Storage and Deterioration.Table of ContentsChapter 1Structure and Composition1.1. Introduction1.2. Seed structure1.2.1. Embryo1.2.2. Non-embryonic storage tissues1.2.3. Testa – seed coat1.3. Seed storage reserves1.3.1. Carbohydrates1.3.2. Oils (Neutral lipids)1.3.3. Proteins1.3.4. Phytin1.3.5. Other constituentsChapter 2Development and Maturation2.1. Fertilization2.2. Embryogeny and storage tissue formation 2.2.1. Embryonic tissues 2.2.2. Endosperm 2.2.3. Testa (seed coat)2.3. Regulation of seed development 2.3.1. Plant hormones 2.3.2. Embryo polarity and patterning 2.3.3. ABA content and sensitivity to ABA during development 2.3.4. Regulation of the seed maturation program 2.3.5. Epigenetic control of endosperm development 2.3.6. Testa development and its interaction with the endosperm and embryo 2.3.7. Somatic embryogenesis and apomixis2.4. Germinability during development 2.4.1. Ability to germinate during development 2.4.2. Precocious germination: Vivipary and preharvest sprouting 2.4.3. Role of preharvest drying in development of germinability2.5. Maturation drying and the ‘switch’ to germination 2.5.1. The acquisition of desiccation tolerance 2.5.2. Protective mechanisms associated with drying 2.5.2.1. Membranes, proteins and water replacement 2.5.2.2. Gene expression and protein synthesis 2.5.2.3. Other changes in metabolism associated with drying 2.5.3. Gene expression changes upon rehydration2.6. Late maturation events and seed drying 2.6.1. Physiological maturity versus harvest maturity 2.6.2. Seed development and seed quality 2.6.3. Maturation drying and biophysical aspects of dry seedsChapter 3Synthesis of Storage Reserves3.1. Assimilates for grain and seed filling 3.1.1. Source of nutrients for storage reserve synthesis 3.1.2. Import of nutrients into the developing seed 3.1.3. Factors affecting seed production and quality3.2. Deposition of reserves within storage tissues 3.2.1. Starch synthesis 3.2.1.1. Uses and modifications of starch 3.2.2. Synthesis of polymeric carbohydrates other than starch 3.2.3. Oil (triacylglycerol) synthesis 3.2.3.1. Uses and modifications of fatty acids 3.2.4. Storage protein synthesis 3.2.4.1. Synthesis, processing and deposition of storage proteins 3.2.4.2. Uses and modifications of storage proteins 3.2.4.3. Regulation of storage protein synthesis 3.2.5. Phytin synthesis 3.2.6. Modifications of non-storage compounds to improve nutritional quality Chapter 4Germination4.1. Seed germination – definition and general features4.2. Measurement of germination4.3. Imbibition 4.3.1. Uptake of water from the soil 4.3.2. Phase I, imbibition and imbibitional damage 4.3.3. Phase II, the lag phase 4.3.4. Phase III, completion of germination 4.3.5. Kinetics of imbibition4.4. Respiration – oxygen consumption and mitochondrial development 4.4.1. Pathways and products 4.4.2. Respiration during imbibition and germination 4.4.3. Mitochondrial development and oxidative phosphorylation 4.4.4. Respiration under low oxygen conditions4.5. RNA and protein synthesis 4.5.1. Transcriptomes of dry and germinating seeds 4.5.2. Proteomes of germinating seeds4.6. The completion of germination 4.6.1. Embryo growth potential verses enclosing tissue constraints in radicle emergence 4.6.2. DNA synthesis and cell division (cell cycle)4.7. Priming and the enhancement of germinationChapter 5Mobilization of Stored Reserves5.1. Seedling growth patterns5.2. Mobilization of stored reserves5.3. Stored oligosaccharide catabolism5.4. Pathways of starch catabolism 5.4.1. Synthesis of sucrose5.5. Mobilization of stored starch in cereal grains 5.5.1. Synthesis and release of -amylase and other hydrolases from the aleurone layer 5.5.2. Starch breakdown and the fate of the products of hydrolysis 5.5.3. Hormonal control of starch mobilization 5.5.4. Programmed cell death (PCD) of the aleurone layer and other tissues5.6. Mobilization of stored carbohydrate reserves in dicots 5.6.1. Starch-storing non-endospermic legumes 5.6.2. Hemicellulose-storing endospermic legumes 5.6.3. Hemicellulose-containing seeds other than legumes5.7. Stored triacylglycerol (TAG) mobilization 5.7.1. Mobilization of TAGs from oil bodies 5.7.2. Role and formation of the glyoxysome 5.7.3. Utilization of the products of TAG catabolism5.8. Storage protein mobilization 5.8.1. Protein mobilization during germination 5.8.2. Protein mobilization following germination of cereals 5.8.2.1. Uptake of amino acids and peptides into the embryo 5.8.3. Protein mobilization following germination of dicots5.8.4. Protease inhibitors5.8.5. Utilization of liberated amino acids in dicot seedlings5.9. Phytin mobilization5.10. Control of reserve mobilization in dicots 5.10.1. Regulation in endospermic dicots 5.10.2. Regulation in non-endospermic dicots 5.10.2.1. Mode of regulation by the axisChapter 6Dormancy and the Control of Germination6.1. Dormancy - its biological role 6.2. Categories of dormancy6.3. Mechanisms of dormancy 6.3.1. Blocks to germination within the embryo 6.3.1.1. Undifferentiated embryo 6.3.1.2. Immature embryo 6.3.1.3. Chemical inhibitors 6.3.1.4. Regulatory and metabolic constraints 6.3.2. Blocks to germination by the covering layers 6.3.2.1. Interference with water uptake 6.3.2.2. Interference with gas exchange 6.4.2.3. Prevention of exit of inhibitors from the embryo 6.4.2.4. Mechanical restraint6.4. Embryonic inadequacy – the causes 6.4.1. Energy metabolism of dormant seeds6.4.2. Genetic aspects of dormancy6.5. The environment in dormancy perception 6.6. The release from dormancy6.6.1. Perception, signaling and role of hormones with respect to dormancy and germination 6.6.1.1. Regulation by ABA 6.6.1.2. Regulation by GA 6.6.1.3. Regulation by ethylene and brassinosteroids 6.6.1.4. ABA/GA balance and hormonal cross-talk in the regulation of dormancy6.6.2. After-ripening6.6.3. Low temperatures (chilling)6.6.4. Other effects of temperature on dormancy6.6.5. Light 6.6.5.1. Phytochrome: action spectra 6.6.5.2. Phytochrome: photoequilibria 6.6.5.3. Phytochrome: multiple forms 6.6.5.4. Phytochrome: downstream signaling 6.6.6. Dormancy release of seeds with impermeable coats 6.6.7. Breaking of dormancy by chemicals 6.6.7.1. Breaking of dormancy by nitrate 6.6.7.2. Breaking of dormancy by nitric oxide 6.6.7.3. Breaking of dormancy by smokeChapter7Environmental Regulation of Dormancy and Germination7.1. Seed dispersal and burial 7.1.1. The soil seed bank7.2. Environmental control of germination 7.2.1. Water 7.2.1.1. Hydrotime model of germination 7.2.1.2. Hydrotime and dormancy 7.2.1.3. Ecological applications of the hydrotime model 7.2.2. Temperature7.2.2.1. Cardinal temperatures for seed germination 7.2.2.2. Thermal time models 7.2.2.3. Temperature and water interactions: hydrothermal time models 7.2.3. Light 7.2.3.1. Phytochrome responses 7.2.4. Nitrate 7.2.5. Oxygen and other gases 7.2.6. Other chemicals7.3. Secondary dormancy and seasonal variation 7.3.1. Dormancy cycling 7.3.2. Dormancy cycling: mechanisms and modeling7.4. Influences of plant life cycle, distribution and origin on germination 7.4.1. Plant distribution 7.4.2. Seasonal and flowering interactions affecting dormancyChapter 8Longevity, Storage and Deterioration8.1. Ancient seeds8.2. Longevity of seeds in storage 8.2.1. Patterns of seed viability loss during storage 8.2.2. Temperature, moisture content and seed longevity 8.2.3. Other factors that affect seed viability during storage8.3. Seed storage and conservation 8.3.1. Short-term storage 8.3.2. Long-term genetic conservation—ex situ seed gene banks 8.3.3. Long-term genetic conservation—in situ Centers of Diversity8.4. Mechanisms and consequences of deterioration in seeds 8.4.1. Deterioration mechanisms in stored seeds 8.4.2. Consequences of storage on germination8.5. Mechanisms of after-ripening in dry seeds8.6. Recalcitrant seeds

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Book SynopsisThis volume will be the only existing single-authored book offering a science-based breeder''s manual directed at breeding for water-limited environments. Plant breeding is characterized by the need to integrate information from diverse disciplines towards the development and delivery of a product defines as a new cultivar. Conventional breeding draws information from disciplines such as genetics, plant physiology, plant pathology, entomology, food technology and statistics. Plant breeding for water-limited environments and the development of drought resistant crop cultivars is considered as one of the more difficult areas in plant breeding while at the same time it is becoming a very pressing issue. This volume is unique and timely in that it develops realistic solutions and protocols towards the breeding of drought resistant cultivars by integrating knowledge from environmental science, plant physiology, genetics and molecular biology.Table of ContentsTABLE OF CONTENTS Preface 1. The Moisture Environment 1.1. The Palmer drought index 1.2. The crop moisture index 1.3. The conventions of crop water use 2. Plant Water Relations, Plant Stress and Plant Production 2.1. The initiation of plant water deficit 2.2. The soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC) 2.2.1. The albedo 2.2.2. The water flux 2.2.3. Root resistance 2.2.4. Stem resistance 2.2.5. Leaf resistance (excluding stomata and cuticle) 2.2.6. Stomatal resistance 2.2.7. Cuticular resistance 2.3. Plant size and the development of water deficit 2.4. Plant water status and plant stress 2.4.1. Osmotic adjustment (OA) 2.4.2. Abscisic acid (ABA) 2.5. Growth and water deficit 2.6. Root growth under drought stress 2.7. The formation of yield and drought stress 3. Drought Resistance and its Improvement 3.1. Genetic gains achieved in plant breeding for drought resistance 3.2. Genomics and breeding for drought resistance 3.2.1. Gene expression and gene discovery 3.2.2. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) for drought resistance 3.2.3. Transgenic plants 3.3. Drought resistance in terms of yield 3.3.1. Drought resistance and yield potential: the crossover interaction 3.3.2. The heritability of yield and drought stress 3.3.3. QTLs and yield under drought stress 3.4. Drought resistance in terms of physiology 3.4.1. The disease resistance analogy 3.4.2. The components of drought resistance 3.5. Water-use efficiency (WUE) 3.5.1. Effective use of water (EUW) and not WUE is the important driver of yield under drought stress 3.6. Summary of plant constitutive traits controlling drought resistance 3.7. The drought resistant ideotype 3.7.1. The ideotype with respect to drought stress scenarios 3.7.2. The ideotype with respect to timing of stress 4. Phenotyping and Selection 4.1. The managed stress environment 4.1.1. Site homogeneity 4.1.2. Experiment station faults 4.1.3. Controlling the water regime 4.1.4. Controlling the severity and timing of stress in the field 4.1.5. Managed drought in protected environments 4.2. Protocols for drought resistance 4.2.1. Plant growth and productivity 4.2.2. Plant water status – the expression of dehydration avoidance 4.2.3. Dehydration tolerance 4.3. High throughput commercial phenotyping service 5. Genetic Resources for Drought Resistance 5.1. Cultivated germplasm 5.2. Landraces 5.3. Wild species and crop plant progenitors 5.4. Drought resistant transgenic plants 5.5. Resurrection plants 6. Breeding Considerations and Strategies 7. Epilogue

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Book SynopsisThe Nature of Light and Its Interaction with Matter.- Principles and Nomenclature for the Quantification of Light.- Generation and Control of Light.- The Measurement of Light.- Light as a Tool for Biologists: Recent Developments.- Terrestrial Daylight.- Underwater Light.- Action Spectroscopy in Biology.- Spectral Tuning in Biology  I: Pigments.- Spectral Tuning in Biology  II: Structural Color.- Photoactive Proteins.- Molecules and Photochemical Reactions in Biological Light Perception and Regulation.- Photoreceptive Proteins and Their Evolution.- Signaling Crosstalk under the Control of Plant Photoreceptors.- The Diversity of Eye Optics.- The Evolution of Photosynthesis and Its Environmental Impact.- Photosynthetic Light Harvesting.- How Light Resets Circadian Clocks.- Photomorphogenesis and Photoperiodism in Plants.- The Light-Dependent Magnetic Compass.- Phototoxicity.- Ozone Depletion and the Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation.- Vitamin D: Photobiological and Ecological AspTrade Review“The book ‘Photobiology–the Science of Life and Light’ provides an excellent source of information to build upon or refresh one’s background knowledge of the physics of light with respect to its interaction in biological systems. … with the coverage of an enormous range of different topics, this book provides a comprehensive and entertaining introduction into the field of photobiology. Therefore, the book is perfectly suited for educational purpose as well.” (Torsten Jakob, Journal of Plant Physiology, Vol. 192, 2016)“This interesting and informative text, edited and largely written by Björn (emer., Lund Univ., Sweden), an expert in many aspects of the photobiology of plants … . The treatment of plants and animals is balanced, and useful comparisons and evolutionary relationships are discussed for photoreceptor molecules and processes. … Each topic gives sufficient background for non-experts to gain an appreciation of the subject matter. … Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners.” (L. C. Davis, Choice, Vol. 52 (12), August, 2015)Table of Contents1. The Nature of Light and Its Interaction with Matter Lars Olof Björn 2. Principles and Nomenclature for the Quantification of LightLars Olof Björn 3. Generation and Control of LightLars Olof Björn 4. The Measurement of LightLars Olof Björn5. Light as a Tool for Biologists: Recent DevelopmentsLars Olof Björn6. Terrestrial DaylightLars Olof Björn 7. Underwater LightCurtis D. Mobley 8. Action Spectroscopy in BiologyLars Olof Björn 9. Spectral Tuning in Biology I: PigmentsLars Olof Björn and Helen Ghiradella 10. Spectral Tuning in Biology II: Structural ColorHelen Ghiradella, Lars Olof Björn and Shuichi Kinoshita11. Photoactive ProteinsLars Olof Björn12. Molecules and Photochemical Reactions in Biological Light Perception and RegulationLars Olof Björn 13. Photoreceptive Proteins and Their EvolutionLars Olof Björn 14. Signaling Crosstalk under the Control of Plant PhotoreceptorsLei Jiang and Shaoshan Li15. The Diversity of Eye OpticsLars Olof Björn 16. The Evolution of Photosynthesis and Its Environmental ImpactLars Olof Björn and Govindjee 17. Photosynthetic Light HarvestingTihana Mirkovic and Gregory D. Scholes18. How Light Resets Circadian ClocksAnders Johnsson, Charlotte Helfrich-Förster and Wolfgang Engelmann 19. Photomorphogenesis and Photoperiodism in PlantsJames L. Weller 20. The Light-Dependent Magnetic CompassRachel Muheim and Miriam Liedvogel21. PhototoxicityLars Olof Björn and Pirjo Huovinen 22. Ozone Depletion and the Effects of Ultraviolet RadiationLars Olof Björn and Richard L. McKenzie 23. Vitamin D: Photobiological and Ecological Aspects Lars Olof Björn 24. The Photobiology of Human SkinMary Norval 25. Light-Promoted InfectionLars Olof Björn26. BioluminescenceLars Olof Björn and Helen Ghiradella 27. Role of Ultraviolet Radiation in the Origin of LifeLars Olof Björn, Shaoshan Li, Qiu Qiu and Yutao Wang28. Hints for Teaching Experiments and DemonstrationsLars Olof Björn 29. The Amateur Scientist’s SpectrophotometerLars Olof Björn

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Book Synopsis'A fascinating treasure trove for plant lovers and gardeners alike.' - Frances TophillOften beautiful and sometimes strange, flowering plants have evolved to become masters of seduction.We are surrounded by extraordinary partnerships between plants and the birds, bees and other insects that pollinate them. In The Sexual Life of Flowers, botanist Simon Klein leads a beguiling and fascinating tour of the courtship between fifty flowers and the pollinators vital to their survival.From the siren scent of honeysuckle to the radiating warmth of the sunflower or the ultraviolet signal of the red poppy; tales of botanical charm, deception and intrigue are played out amid an annual explosion of activity in gardens, meadows and woodlands. Lavishly illustrated in full colour, this is a beautiful collection for gardeners and anyone with an interest in flowers.

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Book SynopsisAfter the generation of genome sequence data from a wide variety of plants, databases are filled with sequence information of genes with no known biological function, and while bioinformatics tools can help analyze genome sequences and predict gene structures, experimental approaches to discover gene functions need to be widely implemented. In Plant Reverse Genetics: Methods and Protocols, leading researchers in the field describe cutting-edge methods, both high-throughput and genome-wide, involving the models Arabidopsis and rice as well as several other plants to provide comparative functional genomics information. With chapters on the analysis of high-throughput genome sequence data, the identification of non-coding RNA from sequence information, the comprehensive analysis of gene expression by microarrays, and metabolomic analysis, the thorough methods of the book are fully supported by scripts to aid their computational use. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, the chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and essential, Plant Reverse Genetics: Methods and Protocols is an ideal guide for researchers seeking an understanding of how the complex web of plant genes work together in a systems biology view.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews:“This book includes a compendium of methods and protocols derived from functional genomics that have been developed during the last decade … . The book is organized in chapters written by leading researchers from different groups … . Large scale phenotyping is also described with protocols suitable for application in different lab conditions. … Gramene database is presented as an example of integrated information … derived from different species, providing details of the information gathered in it as well as available tools for sequence comparisons.” (Ruth Heinz and Norma Paniego, Boletin de Bibleoteca del IMYZA-INTA, Issue 26, June, 2011)Table of Contents1. Analysis of High-Throughput Sequencing Data Shrinivasrao P. Mane, Thero Modise, and Bruno W. Sobral 2. Identification of Plant MicroRNAs Using Expressed Sequence Tag Analysis Taylor P. Frazier and Baohong Zhang 3. Microarray Data Analysis Saroj K. Mohapatra and Arjun Krishnan 4. Setting Up Reverse Transcription Quantitative-PCR Experiments Madana M.R. Ambavaram and Andy Pereira 5. Virus-Induced Gene Silencing in Nicotiana benthamiana and Other Plant Species Andrew Hayward, Meenu Padmanabhan, and S. P. Dinesh-Kumar 6. Agroinoculation and Agroinfiltration: Simple Tools for Complex Gene Function Analyses Zarir Vaghchhipawala, Clemencia M. Rojas, Muthappa Senthil-Kumar, and Kirankumar S. Mysore 7. Full-Length cDNA Overexpressor Gene Hunting System (FOX Hunting System) Mieko Higuchi, Youichi Kondou, Takanari Ichikawa, and Minami Matsui 8. Activation Tagging with En/Spm-I/dSpm Transposons in Arabidopsis Nayelli Marsch-Martínez and Andy Pereira 9. Activation Tagging and Insertional Mutagenesis in Barley Michael A. Ayliffe and Anthony J. Pryor 10. Methods for Rice Phenomics Studies Chyr-Guan Chern, Ming-Jen Fan, Sheng-Chung Huang, Su-May Yu, Fu-Jin Wei, Cheng-Chieh Wu, Arunee Trisiriroj, Ming-Hsing Lai, Shu Chen, and Yue-Ie C. Hsing 11. Development of an Efficient Inverse PCR Method for Isolating Gene Tags from T-DNA Insertional Mutants in Rice Sung-Ryul Kim, Jong-Seong Jeon, and Gynheung An 12. Transposon Insertional Mutagenesis in Rice Narayana M. Upadhyaya, Qian-Hao Zhu, and Ramesh S. Bhat 13. Reverse Genetics in Medicago truncatula Using Tnt1 Insertion Mutants Xiaofei Cheng, Jiangqi Wen, Million Tadege, Pascal Ratet, and Kirankumar S. Mysore 14. Screening Arabidopsis Genotypes for Drought Stress Resistance Amal Harb and Andy Pereira 15. Protein Tagging for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) from Arabidopsis Stefan de Folter 16. Yeast One-Hybrid Screens for Detection of Transcription Factor DNA Interactions Pieter B.F. Ouwerkerk and Annemarie H. Meijer 17. Plant Metabolomics by GC-MS and Differential Analysis Joel L. Shuman, Diego F. Cortes, Jenny M. Armenta, Revonda M. Pokrzywa, Pedro Mendes, and Vladimir Shulaev 18. Gramene Database: A Hub for Comparative Plant Genomics Pankaj Jaiswal

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Book Synopsis"Read this book and you will learn how photosynthesis was discovered, how it works, and how we can produce more food to feed the world." - PAUL NURSE, Nobel Prize winner and author of What is Life?In Light to Life, biologist Raffael Jovine takes us on a journey of discovery into the intricate, beautiful and often surprising processes that convert energy from the sun into life and how all-important these are to our survival.Despite the unprecedented challenges the Earth faces from global warming, habitat loss, air pollution and population growth; Jovine shows us that there is hope to be found. Photosynthesis is the very source of life: it has the power not just to produce food, but to reshape continents, drive biogeochemical cycles, stabilise the climate and regulate weather.In this exciting, revelatory book, Jovine unveils a blueprint for the future: greening the desert, bringing the ocean on land, planting mangrove forests and oyster banks, growing algae for animal feed, human food and soil carbon... He demonstrates how by harnessing photosynthesis we can regenerate the planet and revise the way we human beings interact with it.This book will help you to see the world in a different way, in all its wonderful detail - through the photosynthetic pigments in your eyes.Trade Review'This book is about the magic of photosynthesis and how plants and algae turn sunlight into energy to make life on this planet possible. Read it and you will learn how photosynthesis was discovered, how it works, and how we can produce more food to feed the world.' -- PAUL NURSE, Nobel Prize winner and author of * What is Life? *'Photosynthesis is not only remarkable, it is the foundation of who we are and the lives we can lead. This outstanding book shows that it is also fascinating, inspirational, and the key to building a sustainable future.' -- LORD STERN, IG Patel Professor of Economics and Government and Chair of the Grantham Research Institute at the London School of Economics

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Book SynopsisRHS Genealogy for Gardeners is part of the bestselling series that includes RHS Latin for Gardeners and RHS Botany for Gardeners. This informative, easy-to-understand and beautifully designed reference book explores plant families and the plant family tree in unparalleled detail.From roses (Rosaceae) to rhubarb (Polygonaceae) and carrots (Apiaceae) to camellias (Theaceae), RHS Genealogy for Gardeners unlocks a wealth of practical information, helping you to identify, select and cultivate plants from over 70 families most familiar to gardeners. Along with details about the size, range, origin and appearance of each family, feature boxes highlight interesting facts and provide useful growing tips. Whether you are a gardener, horticultural student, budding botanist or plant enthusiast, RHS Genealogy for Gardeners will help you understand and appreciate the extraordinary diversity and unrivalled splendour of the plant kingdom.

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Book SynopsisWhat was tulipmania? Where would you find a boreal forest? And why are fungi not plants?Exploring everything from algae to the wood-wide web, this brilliantly eclectic and beautifully illustrated book delves into the roots, meaning and compelling stories of 250 botanical words.Guided by the experts at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant Words is a cornucopia of horticultural terms. From plants that have changed the course of history to those that talk to each other, and from trees as old as dinosaurs to gardening in outer space, this intriguing collection will cultivate your curiosity and give you the inside story on plants.Table of ContentsBotany • Growing • History • Documentation • Environment • Science • Index • Credits.

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Book SynopsisOne of the world's first tree-top scientists, Meg Lowman is both a pioneer in her field - she invented one of the first treetop walkways - and a tireless advocate for the planet. In a voice as infectious in its enthusiasm as in its practical optimism, The Arbornaut chronicles her irresistible story. From climbing solo hundreds of feet into Australia's rainforests to measuring tree growth in the northeastern United States, from searching the redwoods of the Pacific coast for new life to studying leaf-eaters in Scotland's Highlands, from a bioblitz in Malaysia to conservation planning in India to collaborating with priests in Ethiopia's last forests, Lowman launches us into the life and work of a scientist and ecologist. She also offers hope, specific plans and recommendations for action; despite devastation across the world, we can still make an immediate and lasting impact against climate change.Trade ReviewThe Arbornaut captures the magic of that little-known world with its pioneering stories and clear, informative text. Readers everywhere will be fascinated and inspired to learn more about nature, and especially about how we need to conserve the world's forests. -- Jane GoodallThe Arbornaut is about a shy girl who loved to play outdoors and became a scientist who educated the world about the abundant life in the treetops. I loved it. -- Temple GrandinThe Arbornaut is, true to its name, an account of intrepid exploration at the upper reaches of terrestrial life, where branches and foliage touch the sky and all creatures awake to the first morning rays of the sun. -- Wade Davis, author of INTO THE SILENCEThis is the most exciting and innovative way of introducing science that I have seen in many years. Everyone will want to read this book. Meg Lowman is starting a whole new movement exploring the treetops! -- E. O. Wilson, author of HALF-EARTH: OUR PLANET'S FIGHT FOR LIFEA passionate look at the 'unexplored wonderland' of trees... Lowman shines in her ability to combine accessible science with exciting personal anecdotes that effectively convey the "thrill of aerial exploration" and bolster her case that trees - and sustainable ecosystems - are worth studying, protecting, and preserving. Nature lovers will find much to consider. * Publishers Weekly *Table of Contents1: from wildflower to wallflower: a girl naturalist in rural america 2: becoming a forest detective: first encounters with temperate trees from new england to scotland 3: one hundred feet in the air: finding a way to study leaves in the australian rain forests 4: who ate my leaves?: tracking-and discovering!-australian insects 5: dieback in the outback: juggling marriage and investigations of gum tree death in australia's sheep country 6: hitting the glass canopy: how strangler figs and tall poppies taught me to survive as a woman in science 7: arbornauts for a week: citizen scientists explore the amazon jungles 8: tiger tracks, tree leopards, and vedippala fruits: exporting my toolkit to train arbornauts in india 9: a treetop bioblitz: counting 1,659 species in malaysia's tropical forests in ten days 10: building trust between priests and arbornauts: saving the forests of ethiopia, one church at a time 11: classrooms in the sky-for everyone!: wheelchairs and water bears in the treetops 12: can we save our last, best forests?: promoting conservation through mission green

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Book SynopsisEverything you need to know about growing your own cannabis, recipes for marijuana munchies, and a step-by-step guide for 20 innovative ways to roll a joint. Sick of smoking low-grade weed? Fed up of paying increasingly high prices? Well, now it's time to do something about it and grow your own. With just a small investment in some basic equipment and this guide, you'll soon be flipping the bird to your dealer as you spark up some super-strong green you've grown entirely yourself. And what about once you’ve cultivated your first harvest? The second section looks at recipes for cooking with weed – from hash brownies to ganja guacamole – and innovative, fun ways to smoke it. There are 20 different rolling projects to try, like the perfect, simple one-skin spliff for beginners or the more elaborate behemoth that is the The Scorpion.

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Book SynopsisAs 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™ 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.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews:“This book is number 526 in the popular ‘Methods in Molecular Biology’ series, which is renowned for its targeted protocol chapters, each with photographs, recipes and a set of notes for additional practical guidance and to avoid common pitfalls. … There is a lot to like about this collection of practical chapters, which represent an excellent investment for the applied maize researcher, who could be a student doing an undergraduate project through to a professional scientist in a dedicated transformation laboratory.” (Huw D. Jones, Annals of Botany, Vol. 109 (7), June, 2012)Table of ContentsPart I: Introduction 1. Design of Gene Constructs for Transgenic Maize Dong Liu Part II: Transformation Methods 2. Transient Expression of GFP in Immature Seed Tissues Colin T. Shepherd 3. Biolistic Gun Mediated Maize Genetic Transformation Kan Wang and Bronwyn Frame 4. Agrobacterium-Mediated Maize Transformation: Immature Embryos Versus Callus Vladimir Sidorov and David Duncan 5. Whiskers-Mediated Maize Transformation Joseph F. Petolino and Nicole L. Arnold Part III: Transgenic Maize in Research 6. Methods for Generation and Analysis of Fluorescent Protein Tagged Maize Lines Amitabh Mohanty, Yan Yang, Anding Luo, Anne Sylvester, and David Jackson 7. Use of Transgene-Induced RNAi to Regulate Endogenous Gene Expression Karen M. McGinnis 8. Plasmid Rescue: Recovery of Flanking Genomic Sequences from Transgenic Transposon Insertion Sites Guo-Ling Nan and Virginia Walbot Part IV: Analysis of Transgenic Plants 9. Non-Radioactive Genomic DNA Blots for Detection of Low Abundant Sequences in Transgenic Maize Guo-Ling Nan and Virginia Walbot 10. Tissue-Print Immuno-Detection of Transgene Products in Endosperm for High-Throughput Screening of Seeds M. Paul Scott 11. Determination of Transgene Copy Number by Real-Time Quantitative-PCR Colin T. Shepherd, Adrienne N. Moran Lauter, and M. Paul Scott Part V: Breeding with Transgenes 12. Herbicide Resistance Screening Assay Joan M. Peterson 13. Characterizing Transgene Inheritance Earl H. Bicar 14. Backcross Breeding Karla E. Vogel Appendix A: Sample APHIS Notification of Release of Regulated Material Appendix B: Sample SOP for Field Release

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Book SynopsisAn understanding of crop physiology and ecophysiology enables the horticulturist to manipulate a plant’s metabolism towards the production of compounds that are beneficial for human health when that plant is part of the diet or the source of phytopharmaceutical compounds. The first part of the book introduces the concept of Controlled Environment Horticulture as a horticultural production technique used to maximize yields via the optimization of access to growing factors. The second part describes the use of this production technique in order to induce stress responses in the plant via the modulation of these growing factors and, importantly, the way that this manipulation induces defence reactions in the plant resulting in the production of compounds beneficial for human health. The third part provides guidance for the implementation of this knowledge in horticultural production. Table of ContentsPart 1 – Introduction 1. Introduction 2. Protected Cropping in Horticulture 3. Plant Secondary Compounds 4. Hydroponic Systems in Horticulture Part 2 – Controllable Production Factors in Horticulture 5. Light 6. Nutrient deficiencies 7. Salt stress 8. Drought Stress 9. Thermal Stress 10. Wounding 11. Mycorrhiza 12. Microbial and Plant-Based Biostimulants 13. Mineral Biofortification 14. CO2 Enrichment 15. Hormones 16. Intercropping Part 3 – Exercise 17. Acrylamide Concentrations of Deep-fried Potatoes 18. Enrichment of Anthocyanin in Pak Choi 19. Improving Flavor of Tomatoes 20. Biofortification of Carrots 21. Enrichment of Flavonoids in Lettuce 22. Effect of Germination Substrates on Tomato Plants

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Book SynopsisThis book is about morphogenesis as the genesis of forms. It is not restricted to plants growing from seed or animals developing from an embryo (although these do supply the most abundant examples) but also addresses kindred processes, from inorganic to social to biomorphic technology. It is about our morphogenetic universe: unplanned, unfair and frustratingly complicated but benevolent in allowing us to emerge, survive, and inquire into its laws.Table of ContentsMorphogenetic Universe.- Aggregation.- Broken Symmetry.- Life Evolves.- Cells in Motion.- Cells United.- Communication.- Biomorphic Technologies.

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Book SynopsisAllelopathic studies may be defined in various aspects; weed against weed/crop and vice versa. This book focuses on the ways to utilize the allelopathic potential of weeds or crops for controlling weeds in the agroecosystems. Vigorous use of herbicides is poisoning our environment at an alarming rate; allelopathy can be employed as a useful alternative to control weeds naturally under field conditions. The book contains chapters on the history of allelopathy; allelopathic potential of several important crops (rice, wheat, sorghum, maize, mustard, sunflower) and weeds (members of Solanaceae, Convolvulaceae, Asteraceae, Verbenaceae). Moreover, it highlights how the allelopathic potential of these weeds and crops can be employed effectively to suppress weeds under field conditions. The book also discusses topics on the role of allelochemicals in agroecosystems; impact on local flora; biotic stress induced by allelochemicals; mechanism of action of allelochemicals and future prospective of allelopathy. Prepared with basic concepts and importance of allelopathy, this book is intended for the agricultural community, botanists, students and researchers.Table of Contents1. Preface 2. Foreword 3. Introduction 4. History of allelopathy 5. Allelopathy potential of important crops (i) Rice (ii) Wheat (iii) Sorghum (iv) Maize (v) Mustard (vi) Sunflower 6. Allelopathy potential of weeds belonging to the family (i) Asteraceae (ii) Convolvulaceae (iii) Solanaceae (iv) Verbenaceae 7. Role of allelochemicals in agroecosystems 8. Impact on local flora 9. Biotic stress induced by allelochemicals 10. Mechanism of action of allelochemicals 11. Future prospective

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Book SynopsisThe dependence of present farming on artificial input of “chemical fertilizers” has caused numerous ecological tribulations associated with global warming and soil contamination. Moreover, there is an essential requirement for realistic agricultural practices on a comprehensive level. Accordingly, biofertilizers including microbes have been recommended as feasible environmentally sound solutions for agricultural practices which not only are natural, and cost-effective but also preserve soil environs and important biota of agricultural land. In addition, it enhances the nutrient quantity of soils organically. Microbial biofertilizers promote plant growth by escalating proficient absorption of nutrients for the plants and by providing an excellent disease-fighting mechanism.Agriculture, the backbone of human sustenance, has been put under tremendous pressure by the ever-increasing human population. Although various modern agro-techniques boosted agricultural production, the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides have proven extremely detrimental to agriculture as well as to the environment in which it is carried out. Besides this some faulty agricultural practices like monoculture and defective irrigation, further complicate the scenario by eliminating biodiversity, increasing the efflux of nutrients into the water bodies, the formation of algal blooms, eutrophication, damaging the water quality and lowering fish stocks. Biofertilizers are the organic compounds applied to crops for their sustainable growth and the sustainability of the environment as the microbiota associated with biofertilizers interact with the soil, roots and seeds to enhance soil fertility. Application of biofertilizers results in the increased mineral and water uptake, root development, vegetative growth and nitrogen fixation besides liberating growth-promoting substances and minerals that help the maintenance of soil fertility. They further act as antagonists and play a pivotal role in neutralising soil-borne plant pathogens and thus, help in the bio-control of diseases. Application of biofertilizers instead of synthetic fertilizers could be a promising technique to raise agricultural productivity without degrading environmental quality. The present book focuses on the latest research approaches and updates from the microbiota and their applications in the agriculture industry. We believe this book addresses various challenges and shed lights on the possible future of the sustainable agricultural system.Table of Contents

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Book SynopsisThis textbook provides the first overview of plant-animal interactions for twenty years focused on the needs of students and professors. It discusses a range of topics from the basic structures of plant-animal interactions to their evolutionary implications in producing and maintaining biodiversity. It also highlights innovative aspects of plant-animal interactions that can represent highly productive research avenues, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in a future career in ecology. Written by leading experts, and employing a variety of didactic tools, the book is useful for students and teachers involved in advanced undergraduate and graduate courses addressing areas such as herbivory, trophic relationships, plant defense, pollination and biodiversity. Table of ContentsChapter 1 - Introduction.- Chapter 2 - Plant chemistry and their impacts on biotic interactions.- Chapter 3 - Herbivory and Plant defenses – antagonist interactions.- Chapter 4 - The molecular genetic basis in plant-animal interactions.- Chapter 5 - Biotic defenses against herbivory.- Chapter 6 - Pollination – from antagonistic to mutualistic interactions.- Chapter 7 - Dispersal – frugivory and seed dispersal.- Chapter 8 - Plant phenology: effects seasonality in biotic interactions.- Chapter 9 - Plant-mediated above-belowground interactions.- Chapter 10 - Ecosystem Engineers – how plant-animal interactions modify the environment.- Chapter 11 - Ecological networks in plant-animal interactions.- Chapter 12 - The evolution of facilitation and mutualism in plant-animal interactions.- Chapter 13 - Evolutionary conflicts in coevolved mutualisms.- Chapter 14 - Plant-Animal Interactions: and the origin of biodiversity.- Chapter 15 - Plant-Animal Interactions in the Anthropocene era.

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Book SynopsisDemand for agricultural crops and nutritional requirement continues to escalate in response to increasing population. Also, climate change exerts adverse effects on agriculture crop productivity. Plant researchers have, therefore, focused to identify the scientific approaches that minimize the negative impacts of climate change on agricultural crops. Thus, it is the need of the hour to expedite the process for improving stress tolerance mechanisms in agricultural crops against various environmental factors, in order to fulfil the world’s food demand. Among the various applied approaches, the application of phytohormones has gained significant attention in inducing stress tolerance mechanisms.Jasmonates are phytohormones with ubiquitous distribution among plants and generally considered to modulate many physiological events in higher plants such as defence responses, flowering and senescence. Also, jasmonates mediate plant responses to many biotic and abiotic stresses by triggering a transcriptional reprogramming that allows cells to cope with pathogens and stresses. Likewise, salicylates are important signal molecules for modulating plant responses to environmental stresses. Salicylic acid influences a range of diverse processes in plants, including seed germination, stomatal closure, ion uptake and transport, membrane permeability and photosynthetic and growth rate.Understanding the significant roles of these phytohormones in plant biology and from agriculture point of view, the current subject has recently attracted the attention of scientists from across the globe. Therefore, we bring forth a comprehensive book “Jasmonates and Salicylates Signalling in Plants” highlighting the various prospects involved in the current scenario. The book comprises chapters from diverse areas dealing with biotechnology, molecular biology, proteomics, genomics, metabolomics, etc. We are hopeful that this comprehensive book furnishes the requisite of all those who are working or have interest in this topic.Table of ContentsChapter 01Jasmonates and Salicylates: Mechanisms, Transport and Signalling during Abiotic Stress in PlantsAkbar Hossain1,*, Zahoor Ahmad2, Debjyoti Moulik3, Sagar Maitra4, Preetha Bhadra5, Adeel Ahmad6, Sourav Garai7, Mousumi Mondal7, Anirban Roy8, Ayman El Sabagh9,10, Tariq Aftab11Chapter 02Salicylic acid and jasmonic acid in generating salt stress tolerant plantsAnkur Singh, Aryadeep Roychoudhury*Chapter 03Role of Jasmonic and Salicylic acid signaling in plants under UV-B stressKrishna Kumar Choudhary1, Suruchi Singh2, Madhoolika Agrawal3 and S. B. Agrawal3*Chapter 04Plant Responses to Exogenous Salicylic and Jasmonic Acids under Drought StressKazem Ghassemi-Golezani1*, Salar Farhangi-Abriz2Chapter 05Role of jasmonic acid and salicylic acid signaling in secondary metabolite production Samapika Nandy, Tuylee Das, Abhijit Dey*Chapter 06Role of jasmonates and salicylates in plant allelopathyAnam Asif1, Mohammad Affan Baig2*, M. Badruzzaman Siddiqui1Chapter 07Jasmonate: A versatile messenger in plantsPriyanka Singh, Yamshi Arif, Husna Siddiqui and Shamsul Hayat*Chapter 08The crucial role of jasmonates in enhancing heavy metals tolerance in plantsAli Raza1*, Sidra Charagh2, Shiva Najafi Kakavand3,4, Manzer H. Siddiqui5Chapter 09Jasmonates: The Fine-Tuning Bio-Regulators and their Crosstalk with Plant Reproductive BiologyDeepu Pandita*Chapter 10Role of Jasmonates in pathogenesis and crosstalk of Jasmonates with other hormonesShreshtha Yadav1, Simran1, Nisha Sella1, Shabir A. Rather2*Chapter 11Methyl Jasmonate and its Application for Improving Postharvest Quality of Fruits Deep Lata1, Anusree Anand1, Burhan Ozturk2, Riadh Ilahy3 , Md. Shamsher Ahmad4, and Mohammed Wasim Siddiqui4*Chapter 12Salicylic acid signalling under stress conditions in plantsTibor Janda*, Kinga O. Gondor, Magda Pál, Gabriella SzalaiChapter 13Function of Mediator in regulating salicylic acid mediated signaling and responses in plantsShubham Kumar Sinha, Koppolu Raja Rajesh Kumar*Chapter 14The Hidden Pathways Affecting Salicylic Acid Signaling in PlantsBahareh Hekmatdoust Tabrizi1, Neda Fattahi1, Rachel Backer2, Zahra Dehghanian3, Khosro Balilashaki4, Behnam Asgari Lajayer5*, and Tess Astatkie6 Chapter 15Salicylic Acid (SA): Its interaction with different molecules in the stress tolerance signaling pathwaysAparna Pandey1, Nidhi Verma1, Shikha Singh1, Gausiya Bashri2 and Sheo Mohan Prasad1*

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Book SynopsisMedicinal flora plays an important role in health care systems across the world. Out of the half million flowering plants, around 50.000 species are valued for their therapeutic properties. During the last few decades, 20% of the world’s population used plants and/or their derived products as a source of medicine. WHO stated that 80% population around the globe, specifically the rural communities, depend on medicinal plants for their basic healthcare needs. To this end, plant-based phytochemicals are known to have hepato-protective, anti-carcinogenic, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant actions. This book is a guide to ~280 plant species of medicinal flora that demonstrates global relevance. Our goal is to share local knowledge about phytomedicines to a worldwide audience. It is an illustrated reference that documents and preserves the existing knowledge on these plant taxa, with a social and cultural (ethnobotanical) emphasis. This book also provides comprehensive and useful information about traditional uses of medicinal plants by the local communities for the treatment of various prevalent diseases. It contains comprehensive descriptions of each species including family, synonyms, English name, distribution, altitude, habitat, morphological description, life form, part used, mode of utilization, diseases category, recipes, other medicinal uses, phytochemical activity and toxicity.Table of ContentsCHAPTER 1: IntroductionCHAPTER 2: Medicinal Plant Used for HypertensionCHAPTER 3: Medicinal Plant Used for Gynecology DisordersCHAPTER 4: Medicinal Plant Used for ENT DisordersCHAPTER 5: Medicinal Plant Used for Skin DisordersCHAPTER 6: Medicinal Plant Used for Pediatrics or Children DisordersCHAPTER 7: Medicinal Plant Used for Musculoskeletal DisordersCHAPTER 8: Medicinal Plant Used for Glottis disorders

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Book SynopsisThis Open Access volume highlights how tree ring stable isotopes have been used to address a range of environmental issues from paleoclimatology to forest management, and anthropogenic impacts on forest growth. It will further evaluate weaknesses and strengths of isotope applications in tree rings. In contrast to older tree ring studies, which predominantly applied a pure statistical approach this book will focus on physiological mechanisms that influence isotopic signals and reflect environmental impacts. Focusing on connections between physiological responses and drivers of isotope variation will also clarify why environmental impacts are not linearly reflected in isotope ratios and tree ring widths. This volume will be of interest to any researcher and educator who uses tree rings (and other organic matter proxies) to reconstruct paleoclimate as well as to understand contemporary functional processes and anthropogenic influences on native ecosystems. The use of stable isotopes in biogeochemical studies has expanded greatly in recent years, making this volume a valuable resource to a growing and vibrant community of researchers.Table of ContentsPART I INTRODUCTION: 1. Isotope Dendrochronology: Historical Perspective.- 2. Dendrochronology: Fundamentals and Innovations.- 3. Anatomical, developmental and physiological bases of tree-ring formation in relation to environmental factors.- PART II METHODS: 4. Sample collection and preparation for annual and intra-annual tree-ring isotope chronologies.- 5. Stable isotope signatures of wood, its constituents and methods of cellulose extraction.- 6. Tree-Ring Stable Isotope Measurements: The Role of Quality Assurance and Quality Control to Ensure High Quality Data.- 7. Newer Developments in Tree-Ring Stable Isotope Methods.- PART III: ISOTOPIC FRACTIONATIONS FROM SOURCE TO WOOD: 8. Isotopes – terminology, definitions and properties.- 9. Carbon isotope effects in relation to CO2 assimilation by tree canopies.- 10. Environmental, physiological and biochemical processes determining the oxygen isotope ratio of tree-ring cellulose.- 11. The stable hydrogen isotopic signature: From source water to tree rings.- 12. Nitrogen isotopes in tree rings – Challenges and prospects.-13. Postphotosynthetic fractionation in leaves, phloem and stem.- PART IV PHYSIOLOGICAL INTERPRETATIONS: 14. Environmental fingerprints in tree-ring stable isotopes: Limits and strengths in mirroring environmental impacts.- 15. Post-photosynthetic carbon, oxygen and hydrogen isotope signal transfer to tree rings – how timing of cell formations and turnover of stored carbohydrates affect intra-annual isotope variations.- 16. Probing tree physiology using the dual-isotope approach.- 17. Intrinsic water-use efficiency derived from stable carbon isotopes of tree-rings.- PART V: ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IMPACTING THE ISOTOPIC FRACTIONATION:18. Spatial and temporal variations in plant source water: O and H isotope ratiosfrom precipitation to xylem water.- 19. Climate signals in stable isotope tree ring records.- 20. Stable isotopes in tree rings of Boreal Forests.- 21. Stable isotopes in tree rings of Mediterranean Forests.- 22. Stable isotopes in tree rings of Tropical forests.- 23. Forest Management and Tree-Ring Isotopes.- 24. Impact of increasing CO2, and air pollutants (NOx, SO2, O3) on the stable isotope ratios in tree rings.- 25. Insect and pathogen influences on tree-ring stable isotopes.- 26. Process-based ecophysiological models of tree-ring stable isotopes.

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Book SynopsisThis edited work presents a multi-faceted view on the causes and consequences of disturbance in ecosystems. Vegetation can be affected by a variety of different disturbances such as wind, floods, fire, and insect attack, leading to an abrupt change in live biomass. Disturbance is a motor of vegetation dynamics, but also sensitive to climate change and poses a challenge for ecosystem management. Readers will discover the global distribution of disturbance regimes and learn about the importance of disturbances for biodiversity and the evolution of plant and animal life. The book provides a Central European perspective on disturbance ecology, and addresses important disturbance agents such as fire, wind, avalanches, tree diseases, insect defoliators, bark beetles and large herbivores in dedicated chapters. It furthermore includes chapters on anthropogenic disturbances in forests and grasslands. The impact of climate change on disturbance regimes and approaches to address disturbance risks in ecosystem management are discussed in concluding chapters. Within the 18 chapters 14 textboxes highlight current topics of disturbance ecology and provide deeper methodological insights into the field. Disturbances strongly shape our landscapes and maintain our biodiversity. A better understanding of their ecology is thus fundamental for contextualizing the dynamic changes in our environment. This book is a valuable resource for students and practitioners interested in disturbances and their management.Table of Contents1 Disturbance ecology: a guideline 2 Definitions and quantifications 3 Concepts 4 Abiotic disturbances 5 Biotic disturbances 6 Anthropogenic disturbances 7 Disturbances in global change 8 Disturbances and management

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Book SynopsisThis book presents a synthesis of critical new information for the Melastomataceae, one of the ten richest families among flowering plants with over 5,800 species that has its diversity highly concentrated in tropical or subtropical areas. It describes the family’s global diversity and distribution and summarizes recent advances in systematics, evolution, biogeography, reproductive biology and ecology.Trade Review“The book Systematics, Evolution, and Ecology of Melastomataceae is a comprehensive and up-to-date synthesis of our knowledge on a fascinating, widely distributed, and highly diversified family of flowering plants. … I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Melastomataceae, or in tropical plant diversity in general. It is an essential resource for students, researchers, and conservationists.” (Marcelo Trovó, Brazilian Journal of Botany, Vol. 46 (4), 2023)Table of ContentsForeword Preface Section I – An introduction to Melastomataceae 1. Melastomataceae diversity and distribution 2. History of Classification of the Melastomataceae 3. General morphology and terminology 4. Historical biogeography of Melastomataceae Section II – Systematics 5. An overview of Melastomataceae classification and phylogenetics 6. Revisiting character evolution in the Myrtales and its bearing on classification: Should the circumscription of Melastomataceae include the “memecyloids”? 7. Systematics of Kibessieae 8. Systematics of Astronieae 9. Phylogeny and systematics of Henrietteeae 10. The tribe Miconieae: many genera or one genus? 11. Systematics and taxonomy of the Merianieae 12. Systematics of Bertolonieae and Trioleneae 13. Systematics of Blakeeae 14. The tribe Cyphostyleae; exceptions that prove the rules 15. Systematics of Sonerileae and Dissocheteae: creating order out of chaos 16. Systematics of Cambessedesieae 17. Systematics of Rhexieae 18. Systematics of Microlicieae 19. Systematic studies in the Neotropical tribe Marcetieae 20. Melastomateae: a review on the taxonomic history, morphology, molecular phylogeny and biogeography Section III – Evolution: Morphology, Biology, Reproduction and Biogeography 21. Comparative floral ontogeny of Melastomataceae 22. Seed morphological features in Melastomataceae 23. Patterns of Chromosome Number Diversity and Evolution in the Melastomataceae 24. Apomixis in Melastomataceae: Diversity of developmental mechanisms and ecological consequences 25. Pollination syndromes and flower diversification in Melastomataceae 26. Stamen diversity in Melastomataceae: morphology, color and function 27. Patterns of diversification of Miconia (Miconieae) in the Greater and Lesser Antilles 28. Colonization by Melastomataceae and its diversification in the Atlantic Forest 29. A review of the paleobotanical record of Melastomataceae Section IV – Ecology 30. Shapes of species responses to soil fertility in lowland Amazonian Melastomataceae 31. Seed germination ecology in Neotropical Melastomataceae 32. Seed dispersal ecology in Neotropical Melastomataceae 33. Myrmecophytism in the Melastomataceae Section V – Melastomataceae and humans 34. How non-native invasive Melastomataceae inform a greater understanding of the biology and genetics of the family Conclusion and future prospects

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Book SynopsisThis book provides an identification system permitting recognition of plant families in all seasons by means of morphological and macroanatomical features which are easily observable, such as bark, exudates, stems and leaves characters. Studies of forest vegetation may differ in their underlying objectives, but they all require taxonomic knowledge. The process of taxonomy begins with an inventory of the flora, which has been based to a large extent on reproduction-related organs, such as flowers and fruits. But, those are often difficult to observe and may not exist in the field at a given time. Unlike most such guides or keys, this book can be used anywhere in the tropics and provides, in a straightforward two or three-step process, identification to the level of families, which are now circumscribed according to molecular as well as morphological characters in the universally accepted scheme of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group. Plant architecture is not a prerequisite theme for plant identification; however, we think that an introduction to this subject is not out of place in this book (architectural traits are taxonomically sound): it is now time for botanists working in the tropics to have an idea on how the whole organism keeps growing. Within the family accounts, there is information concerning important economic plants with notes on the larger genera and, particularly helpfully, discussion of families readily confused and how to separate them. Descriptions of the families rely on short diagnosis bolstered by many photographic pictures, lines drawings and extracts from the author’s field books, all showing features of plants as they are found in the forest.Table of ContentsPart I – User manual and architectural concepts. Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. How to use this book 6.- Chapter 3. Architectural concepts and key to the models.- Part II. Identification keys.- Chapter 4. Key to the groups of families of trees and shrubs (groups 1 to 52).- Chapter 5. Keys to families of trees and shrubs.- Chapter 6. Supplementary keys.- Chapter 7. Keys to the groups of families of lianas and woody epiphytic (groups 53 to 57).- Chapter 8. Keys to families of lianas and woody epiphytes.- PART III. Description of the families.- Chapter 9. Acanthaceae to Asteraceae.- Chapter 10. Bignoniaceae to Buxaceae.- Chapter 11. Cactaceae to Cycadaceae.- Chapter 12. Dichapetalaceae to Dipterocarpaceae.- Chapter 13. Ebenaceae to Euphorbiaceae.- Chapter 14. Fagaceae.- Chapter 15. Gentianaceae to Goupiaceae.- Chapter 16. Hamamelidaceae to Humiriaceae.- Chapter 17. Icacinaceae s.l. to Irvingiaceae.- Chapter 18. Juglandaceae.- Chapter 19. Lamiaceae to Lythraceae.- Chapter 20. Magnoliaceae to Myrtaceae.- Chapter 21. Nyctaginaceae,- Chapter 22. Ochnaceae to Oxalidaceae.- Chapter 23. Pandaceae to Putranjivaceae.- Chapter 24. Rhabdodendraceae to Rutaceae.- Chapter 25. Sabiaceae to Symplocaceae.- Chapter 26. Tetramelaceae to Torricelliaceae.- Chapter 27. Ulmaceae s.l. to Urticaceae.- Chapter 28. Verbenaceae to Vochysiaceae.- Chapter 29. Zygophyllaceae s.l.- Chapter 30. Herbaceous versus arborescent habit in the families and orders of flowering plants - evolutionary trends.

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Book SynopsisThis work will be volume 124 in the Flora Neotropica Monograph book Series, Lawrence M. Kelly (Editor-in-Chief). Flora Neotropica volumes provide taxonomic treatments of plant groups or families growing in the Americas between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This monograph on Panicum (Poaceae), known as panicgrass, was written by the world-leading authority on this plant group. A total of one genus and 63 species are described. It also includes information on conservation, phylogenetic relationships, taxonomic history, ecology, cytology, and anatomy, among other topics. This is the first comprehensive volume on this topic since the 1920s and is lavishly illustrated with line drawings, black and white photographs, and distribution maps.Table of ContentsAbstract Resumen Introduction Material and Methods History of the genus Morphology Habit, sheaths, ligules and blades Inflorescences Spikelets Texture and ornamentation of the upper anthecium Foliar anatomy Chromosome numbers Phylogeny and evolution Geographic distribution Taxonomic treatment Key of sections and ungrouped species Species Excluded species Acknowledgments List of taxa Literature cited List of exsicatta Index of local names Index of scientific names

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Book SynopsisUnraveling the Voynich Codex reviews the historical, botanical, zoological, and iconographic evidence related to the Voynich Codex, one of the most enigmatic historic texts of all time. The bizarre Voynich Codex has often been referred to as the most mysterious book in the world. Discovered in an Italian Catholic college in 1912 by a Polish book dealer Wilfrid Voynich, it was eventually bequeathed to the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library of Yale University. It contains symbolic language that has defied translation by eminent cryptologists. The codex is encyclopedic in scope and contains sections known as herbal, pharmaceutical, balenological (nude nymphs bathing in pools), astrological, cosmological and a final section of text that may be prescriptions but could be poetry or incantations. Because the vellum has been carbon dated to the early 15th century and the manuscript was known to be in the collection of Emperor Rudolf II of the Holy Roman Empire sometime between 1607 and 1622, current dogma had assumed it a European manuscript of the 15th century. However, based on identification of New World plants, animals, a mineral, as well as cities and volcanos of Central Mexico, the authors of this book reveal that the codex is clearly a document of colonial New Spain. Furthermore, the illustrator and author are identified as native to Mesoamerica based on a name and ligated initials in the first botanical illustration. This breakthrough in Voynich studies indicates that the failure to decipher the manuscript has been the result of a basic misinterpretation of its origin in time and place. Tentative assignment of the Voynichese symbols also provides a key to decipherment based on Mesoamerican languages. A document from this time, free from filter or censor from either Spanish or Inquisitorial authorities has major importance in our understanding of life in 16th century Mexico. Publisher's Note: For the eBook editions, Voynichese symbols are only rendered properly in the PDF format.Trade Review“For future research on the codex, I would recommend more engagement with historians, but these authors are to be recognized for their detailed and multi faceted, multi-disciplinary study of this enigmatic work.” (Paula Devos, Economic Botany, Vol. 74 (2), 2020)“The overall impression one has of this remarkable work is that botanical expertise has significantly advanced our understanding of the Voynich Codex. … Tucker and Janick have given those who have taken an interest in unraveling this mystery outstanding material with which to continue their lively debate over its origins and meaning.” (Irwin Goldman, Chronica Horticulturae, Vol. 59 (1), 2019)Table of Contents

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Book SynopsisDas Pflanzenwachstum und dessen Grundlage - das Wurzelsystem - nehmen eine zentrale Stellung in terrestrischen Ökosystemen ein. Die Bedeutung der im Wurzel-Boden-Interface ablaufenden komplexen Prozesse für die Pflanzen- und Bodenentwicklung wurde lange Zeit nicht ausreichend erkannt. Dieses Buch leistet einen Beitrag zum besseren Verständnis des Wirkungsgefüges und der Steuermechanismen dieses Systems.Table of ContentsMorphologie, Physiologie und Biochemie der Wurzeln - Pflanzen-Mikroben-Interaktionen - Rhizosphärenprozesse und ihre Beeinflussbarkeit - Zusammensetzung und Funktion wurzelbürtiger C- und N-Verbindungen - Stoffaufnahme, Stoffumsetzung und Stofffestlegung im Wurzelraum

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Book SynopsisPhospholipidshavelongbeenknownfortheirkeyroleinmaintainingthebilayer structureofmembranesandinphysicallyseparatingthecytosolfromorganelles andtheextracellularspace. Inthepastdecade,acompletelynovelandunexpected functionemerged,full?llingacrucialroleincellsignaling. Itwasthediscoveryin animalcells,thatagonist-activatedcellsurfacereceptorsledtotheactivationofa phospholipase C (PLC), to hydrolyze the minor lipid, phosphatidylinositol 4- bisphosphateintotwosecondmessengers,inositol1,4,5-trisphosphate(InsP)and 3 2+ diacylglycerol(DAG). WhileInsP diffusesintothecytosol,whereitreleasesCa 3 2+ from an intracellular store by activating a ligand-gated Ca -channel, DAG remainsinthemembranetorecruitandactivatemembersoftheproteinkinase Cfamily. Overtheyears,avarietyofotherlipidbased-signalingcascadesweredisc- ered. Theseinclude,phospholipaseA,generatinglyso-phospholipidsandfreefatty acids(tobeconvertedintoprostaglandinsandleukotrienes),phospholipaseD,to generatethelipidsecondmessenger,phosphatidicacid(PA),andphosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), generating a distinct set of polyphosphoinositides (PPI) ph- phorylated at the D3-position of the inositol ring, all with separate signaling functions. Sphingolipids,representinganotherimportantgroupofsignalinglipids, alsocameacross. Themajorityoftheselipid-basedsignalingpathwayshavebeendiscoveredin plantcellstoo. Moreover,theyhavebeenfoundtobeactivatedinresponsetoa widevarietyofbioticandabioticstresssignals,butalsotobebasicallyinvolvedin plantgrowthanddevelopment. Whilemanyoftheenzymes,lipids,andtheirtargets involved arewell conserved, major differences with the mammalian paradigms havealsoemerged. Thisbookhighlightsthecurrentstatusofplantlipidsignaling. Allchaptershave beenwrittenbyexpertsinthe?eldandcoverinformationforbothbeginnersand advancedlipidologists. PartIincludesphospholipases(Chaps. 1-3),partII,lipid kinases (Chaps. 4-7), part III, lipid phosphatases (Chaps. 8-9), part IV, ix x Preface inositolphosphates and PPI metabolism (Chaps. 10-13), part V, PA signaling (Chaps. 14-17),andpartVI,additionallipidsignals,e. g. oxylipins,NAPEand sphingolipids(Chaps18-20). Ithasbeenagreatpleasuretobetheeditorofthis bookandtobeawitnessofthislipid-signalingadventure. Amsterdam,June2009 TeunMunnik Contents PartI Phospholipases PhospholipaseAinPlantSignalTransduction...3 Gu..ntherF. E. Scherer TheEmergingRolesofPhospholipaseCinPlantGrowth andDevelopment...23 PeterE. DowdandSimonGilroy PlantPhospholipaseD...39 WenhuaZhang,XiaoboWan,YueyunHong,WeiqiLi,andXueminWang PartII Kinases Phosphatidylinositol4-PhosphateisRequiredforTip GrowthinArabidopsisthaliana ...65 AmyL. SzumlanskiandErikNielsen PIP-KinasesasKeyRegulatorsofPlantFunction ...79 TillIschebeckandIngoHeilmann PlantPhosphatidylinositol3-Kinase...95 YureeLee,TeunMunnik,andYoungsookLee DiacylglycerolKinase...107 StevenA. AriszandTeunMunnik xi xii Contents PartIII Phosphatases SignalingandthePolyphosphoinositidePhosphatasesfromPlants ...117 GlendaE. Gillaspy PhosphatidicAcidPhosphatasesinSeedPlants...131 YukiNakamuraandHiroyukiOhta PartIV PPIMetabolism InsP inPlantCells ...145 3 YangJuIm,BrianQPhillippy,andImaraYPerera InositolPolyphosphatesandKinases...161 JillStevenson-PaulikandBrianQ. Phillippy PhosphoinositidesandPlantCellWallSynthesis ...175 RuiqinZhong,RyanL. McCarthy,andZheng-HuaYe ImagingLipidsinLivingPlants ...185 JoopE. M. VermeerandTeunMunnik PartV PASignaling PhosphatidicAcid:AnElectrostatic/Hydrogen-BondSwitch?...2 03 EdgarEduardKooijmanandChristaTesterink NitricOxideandPhosphatidicAcidSignalinginPlants...223 AyelenM. Diste'fano,M. LucianaLanteri,ArjentenHave, CarlosGarc?'a-Mata,LorenzoLamattina,andAnaM. Laxalt 3-Phosphoinositide-DependentProteinKinaseisaSwitchboard fromSignalingLipidstoProteinPhosphorylationCascades...243 ChristineZalejskiandLa'szlo'Bo..gre PartVI AdditionalLipidSignals DiacylglycerolPyrophosphate,ANovelPlantSignalingLipid...263 EmmanuelleJeannette,SophieParadis,andChristineZalejski OxylipinSignalingandPlantGrowth...277 AlinaMosblech,IvoFeussner,andIngoHeilmann Contents xiii FattyAcidAmideHydrolaseandtheMetabolismof N-AcylethanolamineLipidMediatorsinPlants...293 KentD. ChapmanandElisonB. Blanca?or SphingolipidSignalinginPlants...307 LouiseV. MichaelsonandJohnathanA. Napier Index ...323 Contributors Steven A. Arisz Section Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences,UniversityofAmsterdam,SciencePark904,NL-1098XH,Amsterdam, TheNetherlands ElisonB. Blanca?or SamuelRobertsNobleFoundation,PlantBiologyDivision, Ardmore,OK73401,USA,eblanca?or@noble.Table of ContentsPhospholipases.- Phospholipase A in Plant Signal Transduction.- The Emerging Roles of Phospholipase C in Plant Growth and Development.- Plant Phospholipase D.- Kinases.- Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate is Required for Tip Growth in Arabidopsis thaliana.- PIP-Kinases as Key Regulators of Plant Function.- Plant Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase.- Diacylglycerol Kinase.- Phosphatases.- Signaling and the Polyphosphoinositide Phosphatases from Plants.- Phosphatidic Acid Phosphatases in Seed Plants.- PPI Metabolism.- InsP3 in Plant Cells.- Inositol Polyphosphates and Kinases.- Phosphoinositides and Plant Cell Wall Synthesis.- Imaging Lipids in Living Plants.- PA Signaling.- Phosphatidic Acid: An Electrostatic/Hydrogen-Bond Switch?.- Nitric Oxide and Phosphatidic Acid Signaling in Plants.- 3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinase is a Switchboard from Signaling Lipids to Protein Phosphorylation Cascades.- Diacylglycerol Pyrophosphate, A Novel Plant Signaling Lipid.- Additional Lipid Signals.- Oxylipin Signaling and Plant Growth.- Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and the Metabolism of N-Acylethanolamine Lipid Mediators in Plants.- Sphingolipid Signaling in Plants.

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Book Synopsis This volume presents systematic treatments for the families and genera of the Malpighiales, which more recently have been recognised as a new major group of the eudicots. Apart from several herbaceous lineages (already treated in Vol. IX of this series), the order consists mainly of rainforest trees, particularly those of the understorey. Accompanied by other early eudicot lineages, this reflects the well-documented origin of the group as invaders into the conifer-, cycad- and seed fern-dominated forests of the Cretaceous which, at that time, were transformed into the tropical rainforest biome. In this volume, 24 families with 429 genera comprising over 12,000 species are treated. Many of these belong to the vast family of the Euphorbiaceae (here conceived in a broader sense), followed by the Violaceae, whereas some of the remaining families are very small and even relictual. The revised classification includes a complete inventory of the genera belonging to the families treated in this volume, along with their diagnostic features and keys for their identification. References to the latest taxonomic literature and links to many different disciplines important to modern plant systematics make the volume a valuable source of information on the manifold aspects of plant diversity.Table of ContentsIntroduction to MalpighialesK. KubitzkiBalanopaceaeK. KubitzkiCaryocaraceaeG.T. PranceCentroplacaeaeK. KubitzkiChrysobalanaceaeG.T. PranceCtenolophonaceaeK. KubitzkiDichapetalaceaeG.T. PranceElatinaceaeK. KubitzkiErythroxylaceaeV. BittrichEuphorbiaceaeG.L. Webster †EuphroniaceaeK. KubitzkiGoupiaceaeK. KubitzkiHumiriaceaeK. KubitzkiIrvingiaceaeK. KubitzkiIxonanthaceaeK. KubitzkiLinaceaeS. Dressler, M. Repplinger and C. BayerLophopyxidaceaeK. KubitzkiMedusagynaceae W.C. Dickison †OchnaceaeM.C.E. Amaral and V. BittrichPandaceaeK. KubitzkiPutranjivaceaeG. LevinQuiinaceaeK. KubitzkiRhizophoraceaeA.E. SchwarzbachTrigoniaceaeV. BittrichViolaceaeH.E. Ballard, Jr., J. de Paula-Souza and G.A. WahlertAddition to PeridiscaceaeC. Bayer and S. DresslerGeneral ReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisDieses Lehrbuch bietet eine umfassende Übersicht über die fundamentalen Aspekte der Pflanzenbiochemie. Die biochemischen Abläufe in einer Pflanze sind letztendlich eine wesentliche Grundlage des Lebens auf unserem Planeten. Stoffwechselprozesse, wie die Photosynthese, die Kohlendioxid-Fixierung u.v.a., werden ausführlich erklärt. Die Erkenntnisse über diese pflanzenbiochemischen Prozesse könnten genutzt werden, den steigenden CO2-Emissionen auf der Erde entgegenzuwirken. Das Wissen über die molekularen und biochemischen Abläufe in Pflanzen sind also Voraussetzung, das zukünftige Leben auf der Erde zu sichern.Ebenso essenziell sind die Erkenntnisse der Pflanzenmolekularbiologie und -biochemie für die wirtschaftliche Anwendung und Nutzung der Pflanzen. Studierende werden in diesem Werk lernen, welche Schritte erforderlich sind, um transgene Pflanzen zu erzeugen und um Pros und Cons der pflanzlichen Gentechnik abschätzen und vermitteln zu können.In der 6. Auflage wurden zahlreiche Aktualisierungen vorgenommen. Es werden u.a. neue Einblicke zur Evolution der Pflanzen gegeben, und weitere Details des Photosyntheseapparates, der Stärke-Biosynthese und -Regulation, sowie der Funktionen und Biosynthesen von Sekundärmetaboliten dargestellt. Darüber hinaus wird erläutert, wie die molekulare Genschere CRISPR-Cas zur Erzeugung transgener Pflanzen eingesetzt werden kann.Besonderen Wert legen die Autor*innen darauf, durch eine klare und verständliche Didaktik komplexe Sachverhalte darzustellen – das ist ein Kennzeichen dieses Lehrbuches. Mit sorgfältig erstellten Abbildungen erfüllt es einen hohen didaktischen Anspruch und reiht sich unter die besten Biochemie-Lehrbücher. Table of ContentsEinleitung.- Eine Blattzelle ist in mehrere metabolische Kompartimente unterteilt.- Die Energie des Sonnenlichtes und Photosynthese sind die Grundlage für das Leben auf der Erde.- Die Photosynthese ist ein Elektronentransportprozess.- Bei der Photosynthese wird ATP erzeugt.- Die Mitochondrien sind die Kraftwerke der Zellen.- Der Calvin-Benson-Bassham-Zyklus katalysiert die photosynthetische CO2-Assimilation.- Der Photorespirationsweg recycelt Phosphoglykolat.- Polysaccharide sind Speicher- und Transportform der bei der Photosynthese gebildeten Kohlenhydrate.- Die Assimilation von Nitrat wird zur Biosynthese von organischem Material benötigt.- Durch die N2-Fixierung wird der Luftstickstoff für das Pflanzenwachstum nutzbar.- Die Produkte der Nitratassimilation und N2-Fixierung werden in Pflanzen in Form von Proteinen gespeichert.- Die Assimilation von Sulfat ermöglicht die Biosynthese schwefelhaltiger Verbindungen.- Durch den Phloemtransport erreichen die Photoassimilate ihre Verbrauchs- und Speicherorte.- Lipide sind Membranbausteine und Kohlenstoffspeicher.- Spezialmetabolite erfüllen in Pflanzen spezielle biologische und ökologische Funktionen.- Die große Vielfalt der Isoprenoide.- Viele pflanzlichee Spezialmetabolite und Zellwandbestandteile sind Phenylpropanoide.- Vielfältige Signale koordinieren Wachstum und Entwicklung verschiedener Pflanzenorgane und ermöglichen die Anpassung an unterschiedliche Umweltbedingungen.- Eine Pflanzenzelle besitzt drei verschiedene Genome.- Biosynthese, Prozessierung und Abbau von Proteinen in Pflanzen.- Durch Gentechnik können Pflanzen den Bedürfnissen von Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Industrie angepasst werden.

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Book SynopsisThis open-access book provides a comprehensive overview of current methodologies for improving resistance to leaf rust in coffee, one of the world's most important cash crops and beverages. Coffea arabica L. (Arabica) accounts for about 60% of the world's coffee production. Coffee leaf rust (CLR), caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix is the major disease affecting Arabica coffee resulting in losses of over $1 billion annually. The geographical distribution of CLR is expanding due to climate change. Moreover, the genetic improvement of Arabica coffee is constrained due to its very narrow genetic base. This protocol book introduces essential concepts of mutation breeding as an efficient tool to increase the genetic diversity of Arabica coffee and presents practical methods on mutation induction and screening for resistance to CLR. Current breeding approaches, challenges and opportunities for Arabica coffee improvement are briefly reviewed and a survey of common coffee diseases with emphasis on CLR is presented. Practical protocols for mutation induction and screening for resistance to CLR are described, including novel methods for single-cell mutagenesis using in vitro cell and tissue culture techniques and for genome-wide screening of induced mutations using genomics tools. Each protocol chapter has an introduction and is supported by example results. Given the impact of recent CLR epidemics on Arabica coffee production in Latin America, the book is intended to serve as a timely reference and guide for students and researchers in the agricultural sciences, plant pathologists and breeders, as well as growers and end-users interested in producing novel coffee genotypes for genetic studies, breeding, and commercial applications.Table of ContentsIntroduction coffee breeding and challenges Choice of materials for mutation induction in arabica coffee Improved in-vitro establishment and germination of Coffea arabica seed Induced mutagenesis in coffee (Coffea arabica L.) using chemical agents Mutation induction using gamma irradiation and high frequency embryogenic callus from coffee (Coffea arabica) Chemical mutagenesis of Coffea arabica mature seed using EMS Physical mutagenesis of coffee seeds In-vitro regeneration of Coffea arabica var. Venecia through somatic embryogenesis Protocol on mutation induction in Coffea arabica using in vivo grafting and cuttings Protocol on mutation induction in coffee using in vitro tissue cultures Screening for resistance to coffee leaf rust Protocol to send samples of coffee leaf rust to CIFC Coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) inoculation and evaluation under laboratory conditions Development of a PCR-Based Molecular Detection Technique for the Early Diagnosis of Coffee Leaf Rust Caused by Hemileia vastatrix Protocols for chromosome preparations: molecular cytogenetics and studying genome organization in coffee

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Book SynopsisThis book describes the mechanisms of nutrient taken up by plants at the biochemical and molecular level. This is a new concept developed over the past 30 years, primarily due to use of modern technology developed in biotechnological research, instrumentation, modern computation facilities, bioinformatics, the large volumes of information generated by use of various ‘omics’ and of course the dedicated hard work of a large number of researchers.Recent research indicates that nutrient uptake, its transport and redistribution in plants are under genetic control. There are groups of genes for each nutrient that encode transporter proteins whose functions are to acquire the specific nutrient from the soil and transport it across the plasma membrane of the root hair cells for use in plant metabolism. Deficiency or sufficiency of a plant nutrient induces different groups of genes to produce m-RNA transcripts for translation of transporter proteins. A large number of metabolic enzymes are up or down regulated in response to deficiency of plant nutrients. Morphological and metabolic adaptations in order to better acquire nutrients and use them frugally when nutrients are scarce in the growth medium can be observed in plants. Heavy metals, which are toxic to plants, induce different sets of defence mechanisms.In 20 chapters, the book describes plants’ uptake mechanisms for all the major, secondary and micronutrients, beneficial elements and heavy metals. References to research work quoted in the text are updated up to 2014 and included at the end of each chapter. Biotechnological approaches to improving nutrient use efficiency are discussed wherever such information is available. The structure and functions of transporter proteins involved in the uptake of nutrients are discussed. Additional information on some of the specific topics is provided in text boxes or as separate sections within the chapters. Lastly, the terminology used has been explained as far as possible in the text, mostly within parentheses. Trade Review“I found this book to be useful in getting information about members of major transporter families not only for model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana but also for other plant species. I also found it useful that the volume provides information about the concentration of different minerals in the soil and in plant tissues including grains … as well as provides tables with information about the sensitivity of various crops to mineral deficiencies.” (Olena Vatamaniuk, The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 92 (3), September, 2017)Table of Contents1. Introduction and Uptake of Water and Nutrient Ions.- 2. Nitrogen (N) uptake.- 3. Phosphate (Pi) Uptake.- 4. Potassium (K) uptake.- 5. Calcium (Ca) uptake.- 6. Magnesium (Mg) Uptake.- 7. Sulphur (S) Uptake.- 8. Definition of Heavy metals, Essential and Beneficial Plant Nutrients.- 9. Uptake of Heavy Metals.- 10. Iron (Fe) uptake.- 11. Zinc (Zn) uptake.- 12. Manganese (Mn) uptake.- 13. Copper (Cu) uptake.- 14. Boron (B) Uptake.- 15. Molybdenum (Mo) uptake.- 16. Nickel (Ni) uptake.- 17. Chloride (Cl-) uptake.- 18. Sodium (Na) uptake.- 19. Silicon (Si) Uptake.- 20. Cobalt (Co), selenium (Se), Vanadium (V), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and Titanium (Ti)

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Book SynopsisSeagrasses are unique plants; the only group of flowering plants to recolonise the sea. They occur on every continental margin, except Antarctica, and form ecosystems which have important roles in fisheries, fish nursery grounds, prawn fisheries, habitat diversity and sediment stabilisation. Over the last two decades there has been an explosion of research and information on all aspects of seagrass biology. However the compilation of all this work into one book has not been attempted previously. In this book experts in 26 areas of seagrass biology present their work in chapters which are state-of–the-art and designed to be useful to students and researchers alike. The book not only focuses on what has been discovered but what exciting areas are left to discover. The book is divided into sections on taxonomy, anatomy, reproduction, ecology, physiology, fisheries, management, conservation and landscape ecology. It is destined to become the chosen text on seagrasses for any marine biology course.Trade Review"This is an excellent and timely volume, which shows that research on seagrasses has a good balance between studies of the basic biology of these fascinating organisms and studies of threats to seagrasses and their conservation." "The editors and authors are to be congratulated..." Phycologia (2006) volume 45 (5) "...exhaustively researched and superbly produced..." "...this book will stand for a number of years as the definite statement on the status of research on seagrasses and seagrass ecosystems at the turn of the 21st century." Marine Ecology 27 (2006)Table of ContentsTaxonomy and Biogeography of Seagrasses.- Seagrass Evolution, Ecology and Conservation: A Genetic Perspective.- Seagrass Morphology, Anatomy, and Ultrastructure.- Sexual Reproduction of Seagrasses: Pollination in the Marine Context.- Ecology of Seagrass Seeds and Seagrass Dispersal Processes.- Seagrass Beds and Coastal Biogeochemistry.- 7.- Fluid Dynamics in Seagrass Ecology—from Molecules to Ecosystems.- 9.- Oxygen Movement in Seagrasses.- Dynamics of Seagrass Stability and Change.- Aquatic Optics: Basic Concepts for Understanding How Light Affects Seagrasses and Makes them Measurable from Space.- Light and Photosynthesis in Seagrass Meadows.- Photosynthesis and Metabolism in Seagrasses at the Cellular Level.- Remote Sensing of Seagrass Ecosystems: Use of Spaceborne and Airborne Sensors.- Zostera: Biology, Ecology, and Management.- Biology of Posidonia.- The Biology of Thalassia: Paradigms and Recent Advances in Research.- Epiphytes of Seagrasses.- The Central Role of Grazing in Seagrass Ecology.- Seagrasses, Fish, and Fisheries.- Predation in Seagrass Beds.- Decline and Recovery of Seagrass Ecosystems— The Dynamics of Change.- Human Impacts on Seagrasses: Eutrophication, Sedimentation, and Contamination.- Seagrass Conservation Biology: An Interdisciplinary Science for Protection of the Seagrass Biome.- Seagrass Ecology: New Contributions from a Landscape Perspective.

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Book SynopsisThe latest and most commonly used methods of assay of important enzymes associated with carbon, nitrogen, protein and lipid metabolism. Estimation of various plant pigments and micro and macro elements. Quantification of plant hormones like IAA, ABA, GA and Ethylene. Techniques of DNA and RNA estimation, Slab Gel Electrophoresis and Western Blot analysis of plant proteins. Methods to study plant biomass and plant-water relationship. Methods to measure photosynthesis and respiration. Method for preparation of common buffe Working principles and operation techniques of a few analytical equipments like Infra-Red Gas Analyzer IRGA, Gas Liquid Chromatograph GLC, Psychrometer, Pressure bomb/pressure chamber, flame photometer, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, Leaf Area Meter and Oxygen electrode. This book is useful for students in botany, plant physiology, biochemistry, horticulture, agronomy and other cognate disciplines and other research workers."Table of Contents1. Plant pigments. 2. Biomass. 3. Growth analysis. 4. Water relations. 5. Carbohydrate metabolism. 6. Nitrogen and amino acid metabolism. 7. Protein and protein fractionation. 8. Isolation and estimation of nucleic acids. 9. Lipid and lipid metabolism. 10. Photosynthesis. 11. Respiration. 12. The antioxidative enzymes. 13. Ripening-associated enzymes. 14. Plant growth regulators. 15. Ascorbic acid. 16. Phenols. 17. Macro and micro elements. 18. Isolation of cell organelles. 19. Common buffers.

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Book SynopsisAlthough the unique flora of the Socotra Archipelago with its high degree of endemism has received much attention recently, little information is available on the vegetation and related ecological aspects. Based on their extensive field experience of the region, the authors have assimilated a vast amount of knowledge to produce this book, which gives a detailed insight into the plant ecology of Socotra, designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008. The book is divided into seven chapters. After a brief introduction and overviews of important abiotic features, various aspects of the vascular flora are presented in Chapter 4, together with accounts of the bryophyte and lichen flora. Ecology and adaptive strategies of the plants are dealt with in Chapter 5, and Chapter 6 gives a concise description of the main vegetation units. Finally, important management issues of the vegetation are discussed, an essential topic to ensure preservation of the natural heritage of the archipelago.Table of ContentsPreface.- Acknowledgements.- 1. Introduction.- 2.- Topography, Climate and Soils.- 2.1. Introduction.- 2.2. Topography.- 2.3. Climate and weather patterns.- 2.4. Soils.- 3. Geology.- 3.1. Introduction.- 3.2. General geology and structure.- 3.3. Basement rocks.- 3.4. Triassic and Jurassic strata.- 3.5. Cretaceous strata.- 3.6. Tertiary strata.- 3.7. Quaternary deposits.- 3.8. Brief geology of the ancillary islands.- 3.9. Brief tectonic and climate history of the region.- 4. Flora and Biogeography.- 4.1. History of botanical exploration.- 4.2. Vascular plants.- 4.2.1. General attributes of the flora of Socotra.- 4.2.2. Characteristic distribution patterns.- 4.2.3. Endemism.- 4.2.3.1. Endemic taxa.- 4.2.3.2. Palaeoendemics and neoendemics.- 4.2.4. Origins of the Socotra flora and colonisation of the islands.- 4.2.4.1. Dispersal and vicariance.- 4.2.4.2. Long-distance dispersal.- 4.2.4.3. Examples of dispersal and vicariance in the flora of Socotra.- 4.2.4.4. Dispersal and vicariance in the fauna of Socotra.- 4.2.4.5. Invaders and colonizers.- 4.3. Ferns.- 4.4. Non-vascular cryptogams.- 4.4.1. Bryophytes.- 4.4.2. Lichens.- 5. Ecology and Adaptive Strategies.- 5.1. Introduction.- 5.2. Adaptation of plants to desert ecosystems.- 5.2.1. Photosynthetic pathways.- 5.2.2. Plant water relations.- 5.2.2.1. Leaf and stem adaptations to counteract low water potentials.- 5.2.2.2. Root systems.- 5.2.3. Energy balance.- 5.2.3.1. Energy balance and leaf morphology 5.2.3.2. Energy balance and water cycling.- 5.2.3.3. Leaf anatomy, reflectance, orientation.- 5.3. Adaptation of plants to highly saline ecosystems.- 5.4. Adaptation of plants to high-montane ecosystems.- 5.5. Life and growth-forms.- 5.5.1. Raunkiaer life-form classification.- 5.5.2. Growth-form classification of Socotran plants.- 5.5.2.1. Drought-deciduous trees.- 5.5.2.2. Drought-deciduous shrubs and dwarf shrubs.- 5.5.2.3. Evergreen trees and shrubs.- 5.5.2.4. Phreatophytes.- 5.5.2.5. Aphyllous spartinoid shrubs.- 5.5.2.6. Stem and leaf succulents.- 5.5.2.7. Caespitose graminoids.- 5.5.2.8. Stoloniferous perennial graminoids.- 5.5.2.9. Cliff-dwelling perennials.- 5.5.2.10. Cushion and mat-forming plants.- 5.5.2.11. Lianas.- 5.5.2.12. Epiphytes.- 5.5.2.13. Ephemerals.- 5.5.2.14. Parasitic plants.- 5.5.3. Life-form analysis.- 5.6. Adaptive strategies.- 5.6.1. Relating net carbon gain to environmental stress in arid ecosystems.- 5.6.2. Plant strategies in arid ecosystems.- 5.6.3. r/K-selection theory and the three-strategy CSR classification system of Grime.- 5.7. Pollination.- 5.8. Seed dispersal and germination.- 6. Vegetation.- 6.1. General comments on the vegetation.- 6.2. Broad vegetation classification.- 6.3. Vegetation of the different altitudinal belts.- 6.3.1. Coastal vegetation types.- 6.3.1.1. Sea-grass beds.- 6.3.1.2. Sandy beaches, coastal sand sheets and dunes.- 6.3.1.3. Mangroves: Avicennia marina community.- 6.3.1.4. Salt-marsh and sabkha vegetation: Arthrocnemum macrostachyum community.- 6.3.1.5. Salt-marsh and sabkha vegetation: Limonium sokotranum community.- 6.3.1.6. Other salt-marsh and sabkha vegetation.- 6.3.2. Vegetation of the coastal plains.- 6.3.2.1. Croton socotranus community.- 6.3.2.2. Tephrosia apollinea stands.- 6.3.2.3. Acacia edgeworthii community.- 6.3.2.4. Pulicaria stephanocarpa community.- 6.3.2.5. Indigofera pseudointricata–Salsola spinescens community.- 6.3.2.6. Limonium paulayanum community.- 6.3.2.7. Other vegetation types of the plains.- 6.3.3. Vegetation of the wadis at lower and middle altitudes.- 6.3.3.1. Characteristic species and assemblages of the wadis.- 6.3.4. Vegetation of lower-altitude rocky slopes.- 6.3.4.1. Adenium obesum community.- 6.3.4.2. Dwarf stem succulent communities.- 6.3.5. Vegetation of the cliffs and crevices.- 6.3.5.1. Characteristic species and assemblages of the cliffs.- 6.3.6. Vegetation of the mid-elevation plateaus and gentle slopes.- 6.3.6.1. Buxanthus pedicellatus–Dracaena cinnabari woodland of the mid-elevation limestone plateaus.- 6.3.6.2. Other vegetation types.- 6.3.6.3. Lower montane woodland.- 6.3.7. Vegetation of the montane and high-montane cloud zone.- 6.3.7.1. Cephalocroton socotranus community.- 6.3.8. Other montane vegetation types.- 6.3.9. Vegetation of the high-montane granite peaks.- 6.3.9.1. Leucas hagghierensis–Pittosporum viridiflorum community.- 6.3.9.2. Helichrysum–Hypericum dwarf shrub communities.- 6.3.10. Vegetation of wet flushes and other semi-aquatic habitats.- 6.4. Vegetation map of Socotra.- 6.5. Potential natural vegetation.- 7. Environmental Management.- 7.1. General introduction.- 7.2. Habitat degradation and desertification.- 7.3. Direct causes of ecosystem degradation.- 7.3.1. Effects of overgrazing.- 7.3.2. Soil erosion.- 7.3.3. Wood-collecting and deforestation.- 7.3.4. Infrastructure development.- 7.3.5. Impacts of drought.- 7.3.6. Potential impacts of climate change.- 7.3.7. Water extraction.- 7.3.8. Invasive species.- 7.3.9. Rubbish.- 7.4. Regeneration of the natural vegetation.- 7.4.1. Restoration.- 7.4.2. Native plant production.- 7.5. Conservation of the flora of Socotra.- 7.5.1. The conservation of Dracaena cinnabari.- 7.5.2. The conservation of Boswellia elongate.- 7.6. Coordination of conservation efforts.- 7.6.1. Conservation zoning plan.- Appendix 1. List of vascular plant species of the Socotra archipelago.- Appendix 2. List of bryophytes of Socotra.- Appendix 3. List of lichens of Socotra.- References.- Index

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Book SynopsisThe idea for the present volume stems from the In many cases we had to decide ourselves what long time friendship between the series editor and changes had to be made in the manuscript. This the volume editor. The field work was carried out was done, however, with the prior consent of during several years of the last two decades by Professor Pandeya. We hope that we did not Professor Pandeya and his team of workers: overlook any items which should have been S. C. Sharma, H. K. Jain, K. C. Paliwal, V. M. changed - if we did, it is our responsibility. In Bhanot, S. J. Pathak, R. Sharma, S. C. Bhatt, P. K. order to demonstrate our responsibility I have Mathur, Y. N. Rao and G. V. Saratbabu. The wide signed as co-editor of this volume. scope of the undertaking required expeditions and The series editor accepted this unusual task individual field studies for which reports were because the topic is of great significance for dry available. subtropical regions of the world. It was the task of Professor Pandey a to sift all The Cenchrus grasslands are of great importance this information and put it together in a form in the dry areas of South East Asia. The value of understandable for an international audience. the ecological grassland study for range manage­ The manuscript was delivered to the series edi­ ment is therefore obvious.Table of ContentsPreface. Part I: Western India - The Physical Environment, the Land, and the People. 1. Geographical Aspects, Lithology, and General Soil Conditions. 2. Climate and Water Resources. Part II: Population Differences and Distributional Pattern. 3. Population Differences in Cenchrus ciliaris and Cenchrus setigerus. 4. Climatic Factors in the Distribution of Cenchrus ciliarus Ecotypes. Part III: Net Primary Productivity and Climo-Edapho-Vegetational Relationships. 5. State of Knowledge of the Indian Grazing Lands. 6. Structure, Magnitude, and Dynamics of Primary Producers. 7. Climo-Edapho-Vegetational Relationships. Part IV: Germinability of Cenchrus ciliarus Ecotypes. 8. Seed and its Germination. Part V: Case Study. 9. System Analysis of a Village Ecosystem: A Case Study. Part VI: Results. 10. Discussion of Results. References. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book focuses on light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, mainly for the commercial production of horticultural crops in plant factories and greenhouses with controlled environments, giving special attention to: 1) plant growth and development as affected by the light environment; and 2) business and technological opportunities and challenges with regard to LEDs. The book contains more than 30 chapters grouped into seven parts: 1) overview of controlled-environment agriculture and its significance; 2) the effects of ambient light on plant growth and development; 3) optical and physiological characteristics of plant leaves and canopies; 4) greenhouse crop production with supplemental LED lighting; 5) effects of light quality on plant physiology and morphology; 6) current status of commercial plant factories under LED lighting; and 7) basics of LEDs and LED lighting for plant cultivation. LED lighting for urban agriculture in the forthcoming decades will not be just an advanced form of current urban agriculture. It will be largely based on two fields: One is a new paradigm and rapidly advancing concepts, global technologies for LEDs, information and communication technology, renewable energy, and related expertise and their methodologies; the other is basic science and technology that should not change for the next several decades. Consideration should be given now to future urban agriculture based on those two fields. The tremendous potentials of LED lighting for urban agriculture are stimulating many people in various fields including researchers, businesspeople, policy makers, educators, students, community developers, architects, designers, and entrepreneurs. Readers of this book will understand the principle, concept, design, operation, social roles, pros and cons, costs and benefits of LED lighting for urban agriculture, and its possibilities and challenges for solving local as well as global agricultural, environmental, and social issues.Table of ContentsPart 1 Perspective and significance of LED lighting for urban agriculture.- 1. Why LED lighting for Urban Agriculture? (T. Kozai).- 2. Integrated Urban Controlled Environment Agricultural Systems （IUCEAS） (KC Ting, T. Ling and Paul C. Davidson, University of Illinois).- 3. Open-Source Agriculture Initiative - Food for the future? – (Caleb Harper, MIT).-Part 2 Plant growth and development as affected by light.- 4. Some aspects of the light environment (T. Kozai and G. Zhang).- 5. Light acts as a signal for regulation of growth and development (Y. Higuchi and T. Hisamatsu).- 6. Factors affecting flowering seasonality (Y. Higuchi and T. Hisamatsu).- 7. Light environment in plant factory with LED lighting (T. Akiyama and T. Kozai).- Part 3 Optical and physiological characteristics of a plant leaf and a canopy (Editor: K. Fujiwara).- 8. Optical and physiological properties of a leaf (K. Murakami and R. Matsuda).- 9. Optical and physiological properties of a plant canopy (Y. Ibaraki).- 10. Evaluation of spatial light environment and plant canopy structure (Y. Ibaraki).- 11. Lighting efficiency in plant production under artificial lighting and plant growth modeling for evaluating the lighting efficiency (Y. Ibaraki).- 12. Effects of physical environment on photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration (R. Matsuda).- 13. Air current around single leaves and plant canopies and its effect on transpiration, photosynthesis, and plant organ temperatures (Y. Kitaya).- Appendix: Equations used in Part 3.- Part 4 Greenhouse crop production with supplemental LED lighting (Editor: E. Runkle).- 14. Control of Flowering Using Night-interruption and Day-extension LED Lighting (Q. Meng and E. Runkle.- 15. Control of morphology, quality and economic value by manipulating light quality (blue, red, and far-red light) and daily light integral (DLI) using LEDs (R. Lopez and J. Craver)).- 16. Supplemental intra-canopy lighting with LEDs for fruit vegetables (N. Lu, C. Mitchell, E.Heuvelink, and T. Dueck).- Part 5 Light quality effects on plant physiology and morphology (Editor: T. Kozai).- 17. Effect of Light Quality on Secondary Metabolite Production in Leafy Greens and Seedlings (H. Shimizu).- 18. Induction of plant disease resistance and other physiological responses by green light illumination (R. Kudou and K.Yamamoto).- 19. Light quality effects on intumescence (oedema) on leaves (K. Williams, C.T. Miller and J.K. Craver).- Part 6 Current status of commercial plant factories with LED lighting (T. Kozai).- 20.Business models for plant factories using artificial light (PFALs) in Taiwan (Wei Fang, National Taiwan University).- 21. Current status in Asia, Europe and other regions (E. Hayashi).- 22. Current status in Americas, (C Higgins).- 23.　Economic analysis and market creation for PFALs (E.Hayashi).- 24. Consumer perception and understanding of vegetables produced at plant factories with artificial lighting (Y. Yano, T. Nakamura and A. Maruyama).- Part 7 Basics of LEDs and LED lighting systems for plant cultivation (Editor: K.Fujiwara).- 25. Radiometric, photometric, and photometric quantities and their units (K. Fujiwara).-26. Basics of LEDs for plant cultivation (K. Fujiwara).- 27. Measurement of photometric and radiometric characteristics of LEDs for plant cultivation (E. Goto)).- 28. Configuration, function and operation of LED lighting systems (A. Yano).- 29. Energy balance and energy conversion process of LEDs and LED lighting systems (A. Yano).- 30. Health effects of occupational exposure to LED light: A special reference to plant cultivation works in plant factories (M. Takao).- 31. Moving toward Self-Learning Closed Plant Production Systems (T. Kozai, and K. Fujiwara).

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive book highlights the importance of Cyanidioschyzon merolae (C. merolae), an ultrasmall unicellular red alga, as a model eukaryote organism. The chapters introduce recent studies on C. merolae, from culture, synchronization and isolation methods of nucleic acids, proteins and organelles for molecular biological and cytological analyses, as well as its application in genetic engineering of environmental-stress-tolerant crops and oil production. In addition to discussing recent advances based on the complete genome information and molecular biological techniques such as genetic modifications and bioinformatics, the book includes visualization aids demonstrating that both classical and recent imaging techniques of fluorescent and electron microscopy can be applied to analyses of C. merolae. This publication offers a definitive resource for both beginners and professionals studying C. merolae, particularly in the field of molecular biology, evolutionary biology, morphology, biochemistry and cell biology, as well as those interested in its applications in medical sciences and agriculture.Table of Contents

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