About the Book

Learn how to best improve yield in cereal plants—even in dry conditions

The impact of drought on crop production can be economically devastating. Drought Adaptation in Cereals provides a comprehensive review of the latest research on the tolerance of cereal crops to water-limited conditions. Renowned experts extensively describe basic concepts and cutting-edge research results to clearly reveal all facets of drought adaptation in cereals. More than simply a fine reference for plant biology and plant improvement under water-limited conditions, this book spotlights the most relevant biological approaches from plant phenotyping to functional genomics.

The need to understand plant response to the lack of water is integral to forming strategies to best manage crops. Drought Adaptation in Cereals starts by offering an overview of the biological basis and defines the adaptive mechanisms found in plants under water-limited conditions. Different approaches are presented to provide understanding of plant genetics basics and plant breeding, including phenotyping, physiology, and biotechnology. The book details drought adaptation mechanisms at the cellular, organ, and entire plant levels, focusing on plant metabolism and gene functions. This resource is extensively referenced and contains tables, charts, and figures to clearly present data and enhance understanding.

After a foreword by J. O'Toole and a prologue by A. Blum, Drought Adaptation in Cereals presents a full spectrum of informative topics from other internationally respected scientists. These include:

• drought’s economic impact (P. Heisey)
  
• genotype-by-environment interactions (M. Cooper)
  
• secondary traits for drought adaptation (P. Monneveux)
  
• leaf growth (F. Tardieu)
  
• carbon isotope discrimination (T. Condon)
  
• drought adaptation in barley (M. Sorrells), maize (M. Sawkins), rice (R. Lafitte), sorghum (A. Borrell) and wheat (M. Reynolds)
  
• carbohydrate metabolism (A. Tiessen)
  
• the role of abscisic acid (T. Setter)
  
• protection mechanisms and stress proteins (L. Mtwisha)
  
• genetic basis of ion homeostasis and water deficit (H. Bohnert)
  
• transcriptional factors (K. Yamaguchi-Shinozaki)
  
• resurrection plants (D. Bartels)
  
  

Drought Adaptation in Cereals is a unique, vital reference for scientists, educators, and students in plant biology, agronomy, and natural resources management.