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Handbook of Seed Science and Technology

Edited by Amarjit Basra

Contributors: Alison Powell, David Tay, P. Suprasanna, S. Doijode, Gustavo Slafer, Gregory Welbaum, David Harris, Yong-Ling Ruan, Prem Chourey, Marc Goetz, TJV Higgins, Svreshkumar Balasubramanian, Kay Schneitz, Wei-Cai Yang, R.J. Emery, Craig Atkins, Thomas Roitsch, Nicholas Hagan, Eliot Herman, H. Hilhorst, L. Bentsink, M. Koornneef, Gerhard Leubner, Tohru Hashimoto, Osamu Tanaka, Chizuko Shichijo, Bevery Brown, Jorge Castro, Juan Delgado, Prabhakar Ranjekar, Alistair Murdoch, Robert Gallagher, Sabry Elias, Emily Taylor, Jayne Bates, David Jaccoud-Filho, Abhay M. Harsulkar

Published May 8th 2006 by CRC Press

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Description

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 examines:

  • the molecular control of ovule development
  • female gametophyte development
  • cytokinins and seed development
  • grain number determination in major grain crops
  • metabolic engineering of carbohydrate supply in plant reproductive development
  • enhancing the nutritive value of seeds by genetic engineering
  • the process of accumulation of seed proteins and using biotechnology to improve crops
  • synthetic seeds
  • dormancy and germination
  • hormonal interactions during dormancy release and germination
  • photoregulation of seed germination
  • seed size
  • seed predation
  • natural defense mechanisms in seeds
  • seed protease inhibitors
  • soil seed banks
  • the ecophysiological basis of weed seed longevity in the soil
  • seed quality testing
  • seed vigor and its assessment
  • diagnosis of seed-borne pathogens
  • seed quality in vegetable crops
  • vegetable hybrid seed production
  • practical hydration of seeds of tropical crops
  • seed technology in plant germplasm

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.

Contents

  • About the Editor
  • Contributors
  • SECTION I: SEED DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
  • Chapter 1. Molecular Control of Ovule Development (Sureshkumar Balasubramanian and Kay Schneitz)
  • Introduction
  • What Are Ovules?
  • Emergence of the Ovule As a Model to Study Organogenesis
  • Ovule Specification
  • Initiation/Outgrowth of the Ovule Primordia
  • Pattern Formation
  • Cell-Cell Communication During Ovule Development
  • Morphogenesis
  • Perspectives
  • Chapter 2. Female Gametophyte Development (Wei-Cai Yang)
  • Introduction
  • Organization of the Female Gametophyte
  • Archesporial Cell Formation
  • Megasporogenesis
  • Formation of the Functional Megaspore
  • Megagametogenesis
  • The Female Germ Unit
  • Genetic Control of Megagametophyte Development
  • Conclusions and Perspectives
  • Chapter 3. Cytokinins and Seed Development (Neil Emery and Craig Atkins)
  • Introduction
  • Cytokinin Biosynthesis in Plants
  • Discovery and Characterization of CKs in Developing Seeds
  • Sources of Cytokinin in Seeds
  • Developing Seeds: A Rich Mine of Cytokinin Enzymes
  • Biological Activity of Cytokinin in Developing Seeds
  • Can CK Content Be Manipulated to Alter Grain Development?
  • Molecular Basis of a Signaling Role for Cytokinins
  • Future Prospects
  • Chapter 4. Grain Number Determination in Major Grain Crops (Gustavo A. Slafer, Fernanda G. González, Adriana G. Kantolic, Elena M. Whitechurch, L. Gabriela Abeledo, Daniel J. Miralles, and Roxana Savin)
  • Introduction
  • Grain Number Determination
  • Extrapolations to Other Major Crops
  • Concluding Remarks
  • Chapter 5. Carbon Partitioning in Developing Seed (Yong-Ling Ruan and Prem S. Chourey)
  • Introduction
  • Seed Anatomy and Cellular Pathway of Sugar Transport
  • Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Carbon Partitioning
  • Key Genes Controlling Carbon Partitioning in Seeds
  • Conclusions and Future Perspectives
  • Chapter 6. Metabolic Engineering of Carbohydrate Supply in Plant Reproductive Development (Marc Goetz and Thomas Roitsch)
  • The Impact of Plant Reproduction Events on Agriculture
  • The Role of the Tapetum in Male Gametophyte Development
  • Strategies to Generate Male Sterility in Plants
  • Importance of Carbohydrates in Plant Growth and Development
  • Carbohydrate Supply and Male Sterility
  • Future Perspectives
  • Chapter 7. Enhancing the Nutritive Value of Seeds by Genetic Engineering (N. D. Hagan and T. J. V. Higgins)
  • Enhancing the Nutritive Value of Seed Protein
  • Enhancing the Fatty Acid Content of Seeds
  • Enhancing the Vitamin and Mineral Content of Seeds
  • Current Limitations
  • Conclusions
  • Chapter 8. The Process of Accumulation of Seed Proteins and the Prospects for Using Biotechnology to Improve Crops (Eliot M. Herman)
  • Introduction
  • Synthesis and Accumulation of Seed Proteins
  • The Protein Storage Vacuole
  • Protein Bodies
  • Biotechnology to Study and Change Seed Proteins
  • Identifying and Altering Molecular-Based Traits in Seeds
  • Chapter 9. Synthetic Seeds Technology (P. Suprasanna, T. R. Ganapathi, and V. A. Bapat)
  • Introduction
  • Encapsulation Methods
  • Different Propagules Used for Synthetic Seeds
  • Applications
  • Case Studies
  • Critical Considerations
  • Limitations and Prospects
  • SECTION II: SEED DORMANCY AND GERMINATION
  • Chapter 10. Dormancy and Germination (Henk W. M. Hilhorst, Leonie Bentsink, and Maarten Koornneef)
  • Introduction
  • The Regulation of Dormancy and Germination: A Mutant Approach
  • Dormancy and Germination: Mechanisms
  • Prospects and Challenges
  • Chapter 11. Hormonal Interactions During Seed Dormancy Release and Germination (Gerhard Leubner-Metzger)
  • Introduction
  • Abscisic Acid (ABA): A Positive Regulator of Dormancy Induction and Maintenance, a Negative Regulator of Germination
  • Gibberellins Release Dormancy, Promote Germination, and Counteract ABA Effects
  • Ethylene Promotes Seed Germination and Counteracts ABA Effects on Seeds
  • Brassinosteroids Promote Seed Germination
  • Cytokinins and Auxins
  • Conclusions and Perspectives
  • Chapter 12. Photoregulation of Seed Germination (Chizuko Shichijo, Osamu Tanaka, and Tohru Hashimoto)
  • Introduction
  • Short Research History of Seed Germination Photoregulation: Recognition of Phytochromes As Photoreceptors
  • Phytochromes
  • Action Modes (LFR, VLFR, and HIR) of Phytochromes in Seed Germination
  • Multiple Modes of Seed Germination and Explanation by Action Modes of Phytochromes
  • SECTION III: SEED ECOLOGY
  • Chapter 13. Competition for Pollination and Seed Set (Beverly J. Brown)
  • Introduction
  • Pollen Quantity
  • Pollen Quality
  • Chapter 14. Seed Size (Jorge Castro, José A. Hódar, and José M. Gómez)
  • Introduction
  • Setting Terminology
  • Seed Mass Variability
  • Seed-Size Determination
  • Dispersal
  • Depredation
  • Germination
  • Seedling Performance
  • Habitat Type and Plant Traits
  • Seed-Size Evolution
  • Seed Size and Global Change
  • Man and Seed Size
  • Chapter 15. Seed Predation (Jose M. Serrano and Juan A. Delgado)
  • Introduction
  • Defending Seeds
  • A Hierarchical Perspective
  • The Case of Cistus ladanifer L.
  • Chapter 16. Natural Defense Mechanisms in Seeds (Gregory E. Welbaum)
  • Introduction
  • Seed Defense Mechanisms
  • Summary
  • Chapter 17. Seed Protease Inhibitors (A. M. Harsulkar, A. P. Giri, V. V. Deshpande, V. S. Gupta, M. N. Sainani, and P. K. Ranjekar)
  • Introduction
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Expression of Protease Inhibitors in Seeds
  • Biological Role of Protease Inhibitors
  • Protease Inhibitor Transgenic Plants for Pest Control
  • Conclusions
  • Chapter 18. Soil Seed Banks (A. J. Murdoch)
  • What Is the Soil Seed Bank?
  • Functions of Soil Seed Banks
  • Prerequisites for a Seed Bank
  • How Many Seeds Are in the Soil?
  • What Types of Seeds Are in the Soil?
  • Where Does the Seed Bank Come From?
  • What Happens to the Soil Seed Bank?
  • Impacts on Weed Management
  • Chapter 19. The Ecophysiological Basis of Weed Seed Longevity in the Soil (R. S. Gallagher and E. P. Fuerst)
  • Introduction
  • Conceptual Model for Seed Longevity
  • Resource Allocation to Seed
  • Seed Dormancy
  • Role of Seed Vigor
  • Microbial Seed Decay
  • Implications for Seed Bank Management
  • Implications for Future Research
  • SECTION IV: SEED TECHNOLOGY
  • Chapter 20. Seed Quality Testing (Sabry Elias)
  • Introduction
  • What Is Seed Quality?
  • Is Testing the Quality of Seed Really Important?
  • Seed Purity Testing
  • Seed Vitality Testing
  • Testing for Special Seed Attributes
  • Seed Vigor Testing
  • Pathological Testing of Seed
  • Testing Genetically Modified Seeds
  • Quality Assurance in Seed Testing
  • Seed Quality Testing and Seed Certification
  • Seed Testing Organizations
  • Chapter 21. Seed Vigor and Its Assessment (Alison A. Powell)
  • Concept of Seed Vigor
  • Causes of Differences in Seed Vigor
  • Assessment of Seed Vigor
  • Standardization of Vigor Test Procedures
  • Current Status of Vigor Testing
  • Presentation and Interpretation of Vigor Tests
  • Application of Vigor Tests
  • Conclusions
  • Chapter 22. Diagnosis of Seedborne Pathogens (Emily Taylor, Jayne Bates, and David Jaccoud)
  • Introduction
  • Conventional Seed Health Diagnostic Methods
  • Molecular Methods for Seed Health Testing
  • Conclusions
  • Chapter 23. Seed Quality in Vegetable Crops (S. D. Doijode)
  • Introduction
  • Factors Affecting Seed Quality
  • Improvement of Seed Quality
  • Maintenance of Seed Quality
  • Revival of Seed Quality
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter 24. Vegetable Hybrid Seed Production in the World (David Tay)
  • Introduction
  • The Gene-Control Pollination F1 Vegetable Seed Production System
  • The Hand-Pollinated F1 Vegetable Seed Production System
  • Distribution of F1 Vegetable Seed Production in the World
  • Development of Hand-Pollinated Hybrid Vegetable Seed Production in the World
  • F1 Hybrid Vegetable Seed Production: A Case Study on Tomato in Taiwan
  • Future of the Hand-Pollinated F1 Vegetable Hybrid Seed Population
  • Chapter 25. Practical Hydration of Seeds of Tropical Crops: “On-Farm” Seed Priming (D. Harris and A. Mottram)
  • Chapter 26. Seed Technology in Plant Germplasm Conservation (David Tay)
  • Introduction
  • Seed Science and Technology in Gene Banks
  • Gene-Bank Management System
  • Basic Gene-Bank Design
  • Gene-Bank Research Program
  • Index
  • Reference Notes Included

Related Subjects

  1. Botany

Name: Handbook of Seed Science and Technology (Paperback) – CRC Press 
Description: Edited by Amarjit BasraContributors: Alison Powell, David Tay, P. Suprasanna, S. Doijode, Gustavo Slafer, Gregory Welbaum, David Harris, Yong-Ling Ruan, Prem Chourey, Marc Goetz, TJV Higgins, Svreshkumar Balasubramanian, Kay Schneitz, Wei-Cai Yang, R.J. Emery, Craig Atkins, Thomas Roitsch, Nicholas Hagan, Eliot Herman, H. Hilhorst, L. Bentsink, M. Koornneef, Gerhard Leubner, Tohru Hashimoto, Osamu Tanaka, Chizuko Shichijo, Bevery Brown, Jorge Castro, Juan Delgado, Prabhakar Ranjekar, Alistair Murdoch, Robert Gallagher, Sabry Elias, Emily Taylor, Jayne Bates, David Jaccoud-Filho, Abhay M. Harsulkar. 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...
Categories: Botany