Sexual Incompatibility In Plants

The intricacies of plant growth and development present a fascinating intellectual challenge, and yet our understanding of the subject has increased relatively slowly, despite the application of many different experimental approaches. Now, however, the introduction of molecular methods, coupled with genetic transformation technology, has provided a change in pace, and fundamental advances are occurring rapidly. This volume, the second in our Plant Biotechnology series, shows how we are beginning to understand the molecular basis of plant growth and development, and are thus moving from the descriptive to the predictive stage. The ability, discussed in chapter one, to generate a fivefold change in plant height by overexpression of a single gene for the photoreceptor phytochrome heralds not only a new phase in plant photobiology but also highlights the close relationship between fundamental knowledge and commercial application. Other chapters review progress in our understanding of the molecular basis of hormone action and processes such as tuber development, seed protein synthesis and deposition, fruit ripening, and self-recognition during pollination. The successful uses of antisense genes to alter the colour and pattern of flowers and to change the enzymic composition of ripening fruit are also discussed, together with identification and down regulation of a gene involved in ethylene synthesis by antisense technology. Opportunities are considered for altering the composition and quality of harvested plant organs and for using plants to synthesise novel products.

Great progress has been made in our understanding of pollen-pistil interactions and self-incompatibility (SI) in flowering plants in the last few decades. This book covers a broad spectrum of research into SI, with accounts by internationally renowned scientists. It comprises two sections: Evolution and Population Genetics of SI, Molecular and Cell Biology of SI Systems. The reader will gain an insight into the diversity and complexity of these polymorphic cell-cell recognition and rejection systems. Heteromorphic and homomorphic SI systems and our current understanding of the evolution and phylogeny of these systems, based on the most recent molecular sequence data, are covered. Further, the book presents major advances in our knowledge of the pistil and pollen S-determinants and other unlinked components involved in SI, as well as the apparently diverse cellular regulatory mechanisms utilised to ensure inhibition of “self” pollen.

Attempting to collect, sort out, comment on and summarize from available literature the relevant information dealing with a specific problem is always a difficult task which necessarily involves sub jective choices and implies a considerable risk of errors and omis sions. The difficulty is increased when, as in the case of incompati bility in angiosperms, the subject to be treated traces its history to preDarwinian times and reflects the total sum of numerous in vestigations dealing with widely different disciplines, such as ge netics, cytology, biochemistry, systematics and physiology, which no single reviewer may pretend to master sufficiently to avoid completely the possibility of misinterpretation. Furthermore, the complexity of the task is further augmented by the fact that the student of incompatibility, confronted as he or she is with still poorly understood phenomena of genetic control and molecular recognition, often tends to be speculative and, in some instances, over-imaginative at the time of fitting research observations and experimental data into appropriate models, schemes and hypo theses. The compensation for such a state of affair is, however, a strong one and lies in the remarkable willingness and readiness of "in compatibilists" to cooperate, and to provide information, ex planations and illustrations to anyone attempting to penetrate into their universe of research and of reflection.

International Review of Cytology presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology-both plant and animal. Articles address structure and control of gene expression, nucleocytoplasmic interactions, control of cell development and differentiation, and cell transformation and growth. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research. Unusual Autonomic Ganglia Embryonic Genome Activation in Mammal Embryos Temporal and Spatial Coordination Plastid Components Sexual Incompatibility in Plants and Fungi

This book contains the proceedings of the International Symposium on the Mechanisms of Sexual Reproduction in Animals and Plants, where many plant and animal reproductive biologists gathered to discuss their recent progress in investigating the shared mechanisms and factors involved in sexual reproduction. This now is the first book that reviews recent progress in almost all fields of plant and animal fertilization. It was recently reported that the self-sterile mechanism of a hermaphroditic marine invertebrate (ascidian) is very similar to the self-incompatibility system in flowering plants. It was also found that a male factor expressed in the sperm cells of flowering plants is involved in gamete fusion not only of plants but also of animals and parasites. These discoveries have led to the consideration that the core mechanisms or factors involved in sexual reproduction may be shared by animals, plants and unicellular organisms. This valuable book is highly useful for reproductive biologists as well as for biological scientists outside this field in understanding the current progress of reproductive biology.

First attempts to isolate plant genes were for those genes that are abun dantly expressed in a particular plant organ at a specific stage of devel opment. However, many important gene products are produced in a very minute quantity and in specialized cell types. Such genes can now be isolated using a variety of approaches, some of which are described in this volume. The rapid progress during the last decade in regeneration of a number of crop plants and the availability of molecular tools to introduce foreign genes in plants is allowing the engineering of specific traits of agri cultural importance. These genes must, however, be regulated in a spatial and temporal manner in order to have desired effects on plant devel opment and productivity. The habitat of plants necessitate adaptive responses with respect to the environmental changes. Starting from germination of the seed, the plant begins to sense environmental cues such as moisture, light, temperature and the presence of pathogens, and begins to respond to them. Little is known about various signal transduction pathways that lead to biochemical and morphogenetic responses, in particular, transition from vegetative to reproductive phase. With the availability of tools to generate specific mutations via transposon tagging, identification and isolation of genes affecting these processes may be facilitated. Transfer of these genes into heterologous environments will allow understanding of the complex processes that control plant development.

Introduction and techniques; Introductory history; Laboratory organisation; Media; Aseptic manipulation; Basic aspects; Cell culture; Cellular totipotency; Somatic embryogenesis; Applications to plant breeding; Haploid prodution; Triploid production; In vitro pollination and fertilization; Zygotic embryo culture; Somatic hybridisation and cybridisation; Genetic transformation; Somaclonal and gametoclonal variant selection; Application to horticulture and forestry; Production of disease-free plants; clonal propagation; General applications; Industrial applications: secondary metabolite production; Germplasm conservation.