Annual Plant Reviews

This latest volume in Wiley Blackwell’s prestigious AnnualPlant Reviews brings together articles that describe thebiochemical, genetic, and ecological aspects of plant interactionswith insect herbivores.. The biochemistry section of thisoutstanding volume includes reviews highlighting significantfindings in the area of plant signalling cascades, recognition ofherbivore-associated molecular patterns, sequestration of plantdefensive metabolites and perception of plant semiochemicals byinsects. Chapters in the genetics section are focused on geneticmapping of herbivore resistance traits and the analysis oftranscriptional responses in both plants and insects. The ecologysection includes chapters that describe plant-insect interactionsat a higher level, including multitrophic interactions,investigations of the cost-benefit paradigm and the altitudinalniche-breadth hypothesis, and a re-evaluation of co-evolution inthe light of recent molecular research. Written by many of the world’s leading researchers inthese subjects, and edited by Claudia Voelckel and Georg Jander,this volume is designed for students and researchers with somebackground in plant molecular biology or ecology, who would like tolearn more about recent advances or obtain a more in-depthunderstanding of this field. This volume will also be ofgreat use and interest to a wide range of plant scientists andentomologists and is an essential purchase for universities andresearch establishments where biological sciences are studied andtaught. To view details of volumes in Annual Plant Reviews, visit: ahref="http://www.wiley.com/go/apr"www.wiley.com/go/apr/a Also available from Wiley: Plant Defense Dale Walters 9781405175890 Herbicides and Plant Physiology, 2nd Edn Andrew Cobb & John Reade 9781405129350

Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 13 Plastids are essential plant organelles, vital for life on earth. They are important not just as photosynthetic organelles (chloroplasts) but also as sites involved in many fundamental intermediary metabolic pathways. Over the last decade, plastid research has seen tremendous advances and an exciting new picture is emerging of how plastids develop and function inside plant cells. The recent and rapid progress in the field has been due largely to reverse genetic approaches and forward genetic screening programs, which have resulted in the dissection of numerous chloroplast protein-function relationships. This book provides an overview of the current state of the art. It is directed at researchers and professionals in plant physiology, cell biology, genetics, molecular biology and biochemistry.

The formation, dispersal and germination of seeds are crucial stages in the life cycles of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants. The unique properties of seeds, particularly their tolerance to desiccation, their mobility, and their ability to schedule their germination to coincide with times when environmental conditions are favorable to their survival as seedlings, have no doubt contributed significantly to the success of seed-bearing plants. Humans are also dependent upon seeds, which constitute the majority of the world’s staple foods (e.g., cereals and legumes). Seeds are an excellent system for studying fundamental developmental processes in plant biology, as they develop from a single fertilized zygote into an embryo and endosperm, in association with the surrounding maternal tissues. As genetic and molecular approaches have become increasingly powerful tools for biological research, seeds have become an attractive system in which to study a wide array of metabolic processes and regulatory systems. Seed Development, Dormancy and Germination provides a comprehensive overview of seed biology from the point of view of the developmental and regulatory processes that are involved in the transition from a developing seed through dormancy and into germination and seedling growth. It examines the complexity of the environmental, physiological, molecular and genetic interactions that occur through the life cycle of seeds, along with the concepts and approaches used to analyze seed dormancy and germination behavior. It also identifies the current challenges and remaining questions for future research. The book is directed at plant developmental biologists, geneticists, plant breeders, seed biologists and graduate students.

Commencing with a chapter which places Physcomitrella into phylogenetic position, this important publication then covers the following major topics. Population genetics, genome, transcripts and metabolomics, gene targeting, hormones, small RNAs, tip growth, chloroplasts, sporophyte development, desiccation and oxidative stress, sugar metabolism, and pathogenesis. With chapters contributed by many of the World's leading workers in the area, this landmark book is essential reading for all those studying plant evolutionary biology, genomics, molecular and cell biology and genetics.

Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 23 A much clearer picture is now emerging of the fine structure of the plant cuticle and its surface, the composition of cuticular waxes and the biosynthetic pathways leading to them. Studies assessing the impact of UV radiation on plant life have emphasized the role of the cuticle and underlying epidermis as optical filters for solar radiation. The field concerned with the diffusive transport of lipophilic organic non-electrolytes across the plant cuticle has reached a state of maturity. A new paradigm has recently been proposed for the diffusion of polar compounds and water across the cuticle. In the context of plant ecophysiology, cuticular transpiration can now be placed in the perspective of whole-leaf water relations. New and unexpected roles have been assigned to the cuticle in plant development and pollen-stigma interactions. Finally, much progress has been made in understanding the cuticle as a specific and extraordinary substrate for the interactions of the plant with microorganisms, fungi and insects. This volume details the major developments of recent years in this important interdisciplinary area. It is directed at researchers and professionals in plant biochemistry, plant physiology, plant ecology, phytopathology and environmental microbiology, in both the academic and industrial sectors.

This timely volume brings together expert reviews of the recent significant advances in our knowledge and understanding of the organisation of the higher plant nucleus, and in particular in the relationship between nuclear organisation and the regulation of gene expression. Rapid progress has been made in a number of key areas over the last five years, including description and characterization of proteins of the nuclear envelope and nuclear pore complex, novel insights into nucleoskeletal structures, as well as developments related to chromatin organization, function and gene expression. These advances open the way for new research into areas such as stress tolerance, plant-pathogen interactions and ultimately crop improvement and food security. Continued research into plant nuclear structure, genome architecture and gene regulation also enriches our understanding of the origin and evolution of the nucleus and its envelope. Edited by world-class researchers in plant cell biology, and comprising contributions from internationally-renowned academics, this latest volume in the prestigious Annual Plant Reviews series brings together a wealth of knowledge in the burgeoning field of plant nuclear structure and genetics. Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 46: Plant Nuclear Structure, Genome Architecture and Gene Regulation is a vital resource for advanced students, researchers and professionals in plant science and related disciplines. Libraries in all research establishments where plant science, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics and genomics and agricultural science are taught and studied will find this excellent volume an essential addition to their shelf.

This important volume commences with an overview of the modes of action of defensive secondary metabolites, followed by detailed surveys of chemical defense in marine ecosystems, the biochemistry of induced defense, plant-microbe interactions and medical applications. A chapter is also included covering biotechnological aspects of producing valuable secondary metabolites in plant cell and organ cultures. This is a comprehensive and fully updated new edition, edited by Professor Michael Wink and including contributions from many internationally acknowledged experts in the field.