Advances in Plant Physiology : From the Green to the Grain

Contents: Preface. 1. Plant physiology has become plant biology: "A cross-disciplinary science". 2. Carbon dioxide. 3. Flowering. 4. Plant Hormones. 5. Water transport in rice. 6. Salt tolerance. 7. Nutrient uptake and transport. 8. Water saving agriculture. 9. Crop biotechnology. 10. Genetically modified plants. 11. Plants and population. 12. Epilogue. Bibliography. Annexure. Index.

"If one may recall nearly half a century ago, there were small books, Methuen series publishing on special subjects like photosynthesis (C.P. Whittingham) and Plant Respiration (W. Stiles) in the 1950s and have been of great  guidance for post-graduate studies in those years. Now great breakthroughs have been made with the introduction of isotopes, modern tools and instruments which can  project into the cell components and unravel the 'secrets' of plant life, with the result no one book could so completely cover a single topic like photosynthesis or respiration. Additionally the development of 'plant tissue culture' during the 60s when it remained as only a laboratory technique, has helped in the now new branch of 'plant biotechnology' thanks to the work of early plant physiologists. The book on the Advances in plant physiology covers a few limited areas of topics like photosynthesis, the effects of increased levels of carbon dioxide, plant nutrition specially on the uptake of nutrients by the leaves. This book serves more than a text book and gives recent developments which influence crop growth and increase food production. Much is talked about the 'global warming' and its impact on crops. This subject is covered here giving the views of both the antagonists and protagonists. Recent developments on photoperiodism, flowering, vernalization and phytoremediation are included besides several others, and should interest those involved in plant research. The importance of plant physiology and a need for research in both the basic and applied fields is very much emphasized by many scientists. There is also a discussion on the pros and cons of the development of plant biotechnology and genetic engineering. In short, this small book provides vital information on the essentials of plant physiology from the agricultural point of view." (jacket)