Seed Technology And Its Biological Basis

Edited by a renowned seed biologist with a team assembled from the most respected laboratories worldwide, Seed Technology and Its Biological Basis illustrates the commercial value of seeds as a major resource. The editors provide a sweeping overview of the current state-of-the-art in seed technology and its biological basis. The book is invaluable to researchers and professionals in both the industrial and academic sectors.

New Challenges in Seed Biology - Basic and Translational Research Driving Seed Technology combines different aspects of basic and translational research in seed biology. A collection of eight chapters written by seed biology experts from the field of seed physiology, ecology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and seed technology was gathered. We hope that this book will attract the attention of researchers and technologists from academia and industry, providing points for interactive and fruitful discussion on this fascinating topic.

This Fourth Edition of Principles of Seed Science and Technology, like the fIrst three editions, is written for the advanced undergraduate student or lay person who desires an introduction to the science and technology of seeds. The fIrst nine chapters present the seed as a biological system and cover its origin, development, composition, function (and sometimes nonfunction), performance and ultimate deterioration. The last nine chapters present the fundamentals of how seeds are produced, conditioned, evaluated and distributed in our modern agricultural society. Two new chapters have been added in this fourth edition, one on seed ecology and the second on seed drying. Finally, revisions have been made throughout to reflect changes that have occurred in the seed industry since publication of the Third Edition. Because of the fundamental importance of seeds to both agriculture and to all of society, we have taken great care to present the science and technology of seeds with the respect and feeling this study deserves. We hope that this feeling will be communicated to our readers. Furthermore, we have attempted to present information in a straight-forward, easy-ta-read manner that will be easily understood by students and lay persons alike. Special care has been taken to address both current state-of-the-art as well as future trends in seed technology.

A reference text with the latest information and research for educators, students, and researchers! World hunger and malnutrition remain an alarming concern that spurs researchers to develop quality technology. The Handbook of Seed Science and Technology is an extensive reference text for educators, students, practitioners, and researchers that focuses on the underlying mechanisms of seed biology and the impact of powerful biotechnological approaches on world hunger, malnutrition, and consumer preferences. This comprehensive guide provides the latest available research from noted experts pointing out the likely directions of future developments as it presents a wealth of seed biology and technological information. Seed science is the all-important foundation of plant science study. The Handbook of Seed Science and Technology provides an integrative perspective that takes you through the fundamentals to the latest applications of seed science and technology. This resource provides a complete overview, divided into four sections: Seed Developmental Biology and Biotechnology; Seed Dormancy and Germination; Seed Ecology; and Seed Technology. The Handbook of Seed Science and Technology is extensively referenced and packed with tables and diagrams, and makes an essential source for students, educators, researchers, and practitioners in seed science and technology.

The seed plays a fundamental role in plant reproduction as well as a key source of energy, nutrients and raw materials for developing and sustaining humanity. With an expanding and generally more affluent world population projected to reach nine billion by mid-century, coupled to diminishing availability of inputs, agriculture is facing increasing challenges to ensure sufficient grain production. A deeper understanding of seed development, evolution and physiology will undoubtedly provide a fundamental basis to improve plant breeding practices and ultimately crop yields. Recent advances in genetic, biochemical, molecular and physiological research, mostly brought about by the deployment of novel high-throughput and high-sensitivity technologies, have begun to uncover and connect the molecular networks that control and integrate different aspects of seed development and help determine the economic value of grain crops with unprecedented details. The objective of this e-book is to provide a compilation of original research articles, reviews, hypotheses and perspectives that have recently been published in Frontiers in Plant Science, Plant Evolution and Development as part of the Research Topic entitled "Advances in Seed Biology". Editing this Research Topic has been an extremely interesting, educational and rewarding experience, and we sincerely thank all authors who contributed their expertise and in-depth knowledge of the different topics discussed. We hope that the information presented here will help to establish the state of the art of this field and will convey how exciting and important studying seeds is and hopefully will stimulate a new crop of scientists devoted to investigating the biology of seeds.

Wood is the most versatile raw material available to man. It isburned as fuel, shaped into utensils, used as a structuralengineering material, converted into fibres for paper production,and put to newer uses as a source of industrial chemicals. Its quality results largely from the chemical and physicalstructure of the cell walls of its component fibres, which can bemodified in nature as the tree responds to physical environmentalstresses. Internal stresses can accumulate, which are releasedcatastrophically when the tree is felled, often rendering thetimber useless. The quality of timber as an engineering materialalso depends on the structure of the wood and the way in which ithas developed in the living tree. Tree improvement for quality cannot be carried out without anunderstanding of the biological basis underlying wood formation andstructure. This volume brings together the viewpoints of bothbiologists and physical scientists, covering the spectrum from theformation of wood to its structure and properties, and relatingthese properties to industrial use. This is a volume for researchers and professionals in plantphysiology, molecular biology and biochemistry.

Fruit technology draws on biology and engineering to maintain quality during storage, distribution, and marketing. This book focuses on the biological processes that determine appearance, texture, taste, nutritional value, and flavor of fleshy fruits. It also focuses on the ways by which these biological processes can be manipulated to maximize quality for the consumer. It discusses the advances in the understanding of these procedures at the molecular level and the mode of action and limitations of current technology for postharvest handling of fruits. A concluding chapter examines prospects for the genetic control of fruit development, composition, and quality.