Botanik

This book includes description of main morphological characteristics of 435 species (including varieties and subspecies) belonging to 57 families and 233 genera of endemic and endangered plants of Hulun Buir Rangeland in China. A brief description of the morphological characteristics of each plant, flowering period, zoning, habitat, and the usage habits of most plants, together with 1 to 4 photographs taken in the field are provided. This work is designed not only for researchers working in rangeland science, ecological restoration and protection but also for professionals working in rangeland and related fields. The work is a result of many years of rangeland plant collection and specimens identification.

Biotic stresses cause yield loss of 31-42% in crops in addition to 6-20% during post-harvest stage. Understanding interaction of crop plants to the biotic stresses caused by insects, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and  oomycetes, etc. is important to develop resistant crop varieties. Knowledge on the advanced genetic and genomic crop improvement strategies including molecular breeding, transgenics, genomic-assisted breeding and the recently emerging genome editing for developing resistant varieties in technical crops is imperative for addressing FHEE (food, health, energy and environment) security. Whole genome sequencing of these crops followed by genotyping-by-sequencing have facilitated precise information about the genes conferring resistance useful for gene discovery, allele mining and shuttle breeding which in turn opened up the scope for 'designing' crop genomes with resistance to biotic stresses.The 15 chapters dedicated to 13 technical crops and 2 technical crop groups in this volume will deliberate on different types of biotic stress agents and their effects on and interaction with crop plants; will enumerate on the available genetic diversity with regard to biotic stress resistance among available cultivars; illuminate on the potential gene pools for utilization in interspecific gene transfer; will brief on the classical genetics of stress resistance and traditional breeding for transferring them to their cultivated counterparts; will enunciate the success stories of genetic engineering for developing biotic stress resistant varieties; will discuss on molecular mapping of genes and QTLs underlying biotic stress resistance and their marker-assisted introgression into elite varieties; will enunciate on different emerging genomics-aided techniques including genomic selection, allele mining, gene discovery and gene pyramiding for developing resistant crop varieties with higher quantity and quality; and will also elaborate some case studies on genome editing focusing on specific genes for generating disease and insect resistant crops. 

This handbook presents a compilation of plant histopathology laboratory practices and microscopy techniques for study plant tissues under biotic stress. It will serve as an easy-to-reference material for professors, undergraduate and graduate students and researchers from different areas who work with the interaction between plants and pathogens, whether they are fungi, viruses or bacteria. Besides, it will also help unveil the structural, ultrastructural and histochemical changes induced by plants when challenged by plant pathogens.

Soybean (Glycine max L. (Merr)) is one of the most important crops worldwide. Soybean seeds are vital for both protein meal and vegetable oil. Soybean was domesticated in China, and since last 4-5 decades it has become one of the most widely grown crops around the globe. The crop is grown on an anticipated 6% of the world's arable land, and since the 1970s, the area in soybean production has the highest percentage increase compared to any other major crop. It is a major crop in the United States, Brazil, China and Argentina and important in many other countries. The cultivated soybean has one wild annual relative, G. soja, and 23 wild perennial relatives. Soybean has spread to many Asian countries two to three thousand years ago, but was not known in the West until the 18th century. Among the various constraints responsible for decrease in soybean yields are the biotic and abiotic stresses which have recently increased as a result of changing climatic scenarios at global level. A lot of work has been done for cultivar development and germplasm enhancement through conventional plant breeding. This has resulted in development of numerous high yielding and climate resilient soybean varieties. Despite of this development, plant breeding is long-term by nature, resource dependent and climate dependent. Due to the advancement in genomics and phenomics, significant insights have been gained in the identification of genes for yield improvement, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress and increased quality parameters in soybean. Molecular breeding has become routine and with the advent of next generation sequencing technologies resulting in SNP based molecular markers, soybean improvement has taken a new dimension and resulted in mapping of genes for various traits that include disease resistance, insect resistance, high oil content and improved yield.This book includes chapters from renowned potential soybean scientists to discuss the latest updates on soybean molecular and genetic perspectives to elucidate the complex mechanisms to develop biotic and abiotic stress resilience in soybean. Recent studies on the improvement of oil quality and yield in soybean have also been incorporated.

With the erratic changes in climate, crop plants are facing many forms of biotic stresses. When plants are under stress, among several gene families, regulatory genes play a vital role in signal transduction in modulating the expression of genes underpinning several defense pathways and targeting regulatory proteins (viz, transcription factors (TFs)) can be the alternative. Transcription factors directly regulate the downstream R genes and are excellent candidates for disease resistance breeding.  Till date, numerous transcription factors have been identified and characterized structurally and functionally. Of them, TF families such as WRKY, NAC, Whirly, Apetala2 (AP2), ethylene responsive elements (ERF) etc. are found to be associated with transcriptional reprogramming of plant defense response. These TFs are responsive to the pathogen's PAMPs/DAMPs - host's PRR protein interactions and specifically binds to the cis-elements of defense genes and regulate their expression. With this background, realizing the importance of TFs in resistance breeding, this book discusses the recent research and developments in this field for various crops.

Crop plants growing under field conditions are constantly exposed to various abiotic and biotic stress factors leading to decreased yield and quality of produce. In order to achieve sustainable development in agriculture and to increase agricultural production for feeding an increasing global population, it is necessary to use ecologically compatible and environmentally friendly strategies to decrease the adverse effects of stresses on the plant. Selenium is one of the critical elements from the biological contexts because it is essential for human health; however, it becomes toxic at high concentrations. It has been widely reported that selenium can promote plant growth and alleviate various stresses as well as increase the quantity and quality of the yield of many plant species. Nonetheless, at high concentrations, selenium causes phytotoxicity. In the last decade, nanotechnology has emerged as a prominent tool for enhancing agricultural productivity. The production and applications of nanoparticles (NPs) have greatly increased in many industries, such as energy production, healthcare, agriculture, and environmental protection. The application of NPs has attracted interest for their potential to alleviate abiotic and biotic stresses in a more rapid, cost-effective, and more sustainable way than conventional treatment technologies. Recently, research related to selenium-NPs-mediated abiotic stresses and nutritional improvements in plants has received considerable interest by the scientific community. While significant progress was made in selenium biochemistry in relation to stress tolerance, an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with the selenium- and nano-selenium-mediated stress tolerance and bio-fortification in plants is still lacking. Gaining a better knowledge of the regulatory and molecular mechanisms that control selenium uptake, assimilation, and tolerance in plants is therefore vital and necessary to develop modern crop varieties that are more resilient to environmental stress. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the latest understanding of the physiological, biochemical, and molecular basis of selenium- and nano-selenium-mediated environmental stress tolerance and crop quality improvements in plants. It helps researchers to develop strategies to enhance crop productivity under stressful conditions and to better utilize natural resources to ensure future food security and to reduce environmental contamination. Finally, this book is a valuable resource for promoting future research into plant stress tolerance, and  a reference book for researchers working on developing plants tolerant to abiotic and biotic stressors as well as bio-fortification and phytoremediation.

This book discusses plant invasions and environmental impacts on the Himalayas through a novel procedure, and helps to understand the influences of climate, physiography, soil, and disturbance on plant richness in mountain systems. Assessing invasion risks to mountain space under future climate change scenarios is highly significant for appropriate preparedness, and this book details analytical and modeling techniques to assess the conditions of mountain ecosystem and ecology to better inform our preparation for future environmental challenges. The book presents the state-of-the-art understanding of the species-environment relationships in a global biodiversity hotspot, relatively unexplored areas for the Himalayan life-form richness. The book provides not only the academic but also the professional community and policymakers a review and update on modeling applications for determining interactions of the plant species with the environment of a subtropical mountain ecosystem across a climatic gradient. Currently, there is no book in the market addressing the implementation and applications of modeling in the Himalayan plant and environment continuum, and most of the existing books cover the species richness pattern along the elevation gradient and basic ethnobotanical features of a mountain system. Since the book covers the applications of novel methods and modeling for ecological analysis of mountain ecosystems, it will also be significant for the professional market. Therefore, the book aims to fill the gap between scientists and professionals in the use of modeling strategies to monitor biodiversity in mountain systems for the formulation of conservation, adaptation, and mitigation principles.

This book covers all aspects of hybrid breeding technologies applied for crop improvement in major field crops. The different male sterility systems such as genetic male sterility (GMS), cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), cytoplasmic and genetic male sterility (CGMS), and male sterility induced by the photoperiod (PGMS), temperature (TGMS), and chemicals are discussed in detail. The different chapters in this book provide a timeline of the key breakthroughs witnessed in the field of plant male sterility technologies, their application in hybrid breeding, and the relevance to the current need for food security. In-depth insights into the genetic and regulatory mechanisms of plant male sterility have been presented. This includes discussion on a variety of molecular players that induce male sterility and rescue male fertility in the hybrid plants. To enhance this book's appeal, more emphasis has been given on the modern emerging approaches such as construction of heterotic pools that could boost hybrid breeding for enhanced crop performance amid climate change and growing population worldwide.  This book is a guide for growers and industries related to field and horticultural crops. Further, it is a useful reference for plant breeders, researchers and extension workers, and students. The material can also be used for teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

The Plants of Michigan ; Simple Keys for the Identification of the Native Seed Plants of the State, a classical book, has been considered essential throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics ; Embracing the Myths, Traditions, Superstitions, and Folk-Lore of the Plant Kingdom, a classical book, has been considered essential throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

Essential Minerals in Plant-Soil Systems: Coordination, Signaling, and Interaction under Adverse Situations is the first book to encompass these key aspects of plant science, biochemistry, soil science and fertilizer development in a single volume. Describing the micro- and macronutrients in the plant-soil system with the help of suitable illustrations, the book connects all the pieces enabling comprehensive and connected understanding. Sections cover recent advances in the understanding of how plants coordinate the acquisition, transport, signaling, and interaction, and cross-talks between macrö and micro-nutrients in adverse environmental situations. This book is a valuable reference for those putting research into practice in addressing stress situations, as well as providing important foundational insights for further research.

Quantum dots (QDs) are important in the research and industrial fields due to their diverse properties and technological importance. Recently, QDs have been found to be suitable for biological, biomedical, agricultural, and food science applications. Many research articles, review papers, and internet sources have published on the use of QDs to improve plant growth and yield, but a comprehensive overview in book form has not been available to date. This book provides detailed information on synthesis, functionalization, and the use of various types of quantum dots for plant systems. It also addresses the current state of knowledge on sensing mechanisms of QD-based biosensors used for microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and plant virus detection. This book also offers in-depth knowledge related to QDs used for plant growth, nutrients, and plant protection from micro-organisms. This volume is beneficial as one comprehensive resource for students, researchers, scientists, technicians, academicians, and industrialists.

This book presents deliberations on molecular and genomic mechanisms underlying the interactions of crop plants to the abiotic stresses caused by heat, cold, drought, flooding, submergence, salinity, acidity, etc., important to develop resistant crop varieties. Knowledge on the advanced genetic and genomic crop improvement strategies including molecular breeding, transgenics, genomic-assisted breeding, and the recently emerging genome editing for developing resistant varieties in fruit crops is imperative for addressing FHNEE (food, health, nutrition, energy, and environment) security. Whole genome sequencing in many of these crops followed by genotyping-by-sequencing has provided precise information regarding the genes conferring resistance useful for gene discovery, allele mining, and shuttle breeding which in turn opened up the scope for 'designing' crop genomes with resistance to abiotic stresses. The seven chapters each dedicated to a fruit crop and a fruit crop group in this volume elucidate different types of abiotic stresses and their effects on and interaction with the crops; enumerate the available genetic diversity with regard to abiotic stress resistance among available cultivars; illuminate the potential gene pools for utilization in interspecific gene transfer; present brief on classical genetics of stress resistance and traditional breeding for transferring them to their cultivated counterparts; depict the success stories of genetic engineering for developing abiotic stress-resistant crop varieties; discuss on molecular mapping of genes and QTLs underlying stress resistance and their marker-assisted introgression into elite varieties; enunciate different genomics-aided techniques including genomic selection, allele mining, gene discovery, and gene pyramiding for developing adaptive crop varieties with higher quantity and quality of yields, and also elaborate some case studies on genome editing focusing on specific genes for generating abiotic stress-resistant crops. 

Hvordan klatrer planter? Hvorfor har blomster forskellige farver? Skal jeg klippe visne blomsterhoveder af? Kan jeg fremavle min egen sort?I denne bog besvarer bestsellerforfatter Dr. StuartFarrimond enkelt og underholdende mere end 100 spørgsmål om planter og deres optimale vækstbetingelser. Det handler ikke kun om, hvordan man bedst plejer sine planter, men i høj grad om hvorfor. Når du forstår, hvordan planterne fungerer, bliver du ikke alene en bedre havedyrker, du får også en sundere have med gladere planter. Klimaforandringer og behovet for at dyrke merebæredygtigt har rokket ved mange traditionelledyrkningsmetoder. Planternes forunderlige liv er en genvej til de seneste årtiers forskningsresultater og henvender sig til havedyrkere på alle niveauer.»Bogen har helt ændret mit syn på haven. Jeg kigger nu på en snerle og siger: Du er godt nok besværlig, men hold op,hvor er du dygtig til at klatre!« – Steen Frimodt, grafiker

Seed Dispersal, a classical book, has been considered essential throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

The present work covers many aspects of plant nematode management using organic strategies. These range from applications of latest understandings of fundamental concepts/mechanisms of nematode control, to modern tools and techniques used in efficacy evaluation. The Volume also includes some case studies/applied aspects of organic nematode pest management.Chemical and physical control measures used for nematode management have their own implications. Against this backdrop, organic management of plant nematodes appears as a more rational and sustainable approach. However, concise information on the current topic is scarce. This book is a sincere effort to bridge this void as we aim to provide the most updated, critical and in-depth knowledge synthesized by many experts working in the field of plant nematology, worldwide.

This Monograph explains the statistical theory behind the National Forest Inventory (NFI) data collection and compares different methods for modelling and inventory design. The author also explains how natural uncertainty in measurement and modelling can affects the results. Forests, as dynamic systems, are influenced by many unpredictable factors over time. Therefore, readers can use this book to develop the right framework of expectations, when using NFI data.The chapters give an outlook on traditional methods like sample plots, but also consider newer approaches like remote sensing. By merging these different techniqes, NFI datasets can become more reliable and facetted. One of the most contemporary developments in the field, is the use of continuous plots that offer live data at all times. Whether this data should be open to the public, is another discussion point that the author addresses.Offering a perspective from Estonia, readers will find practical examples for all discussed methods. This bridge from theory to practice, makes the volume a useful resource for scientists and decision makers in the forestry sector.  

This detailed volume explores a wide range of evidence-based complementary medicine and various bio-analytical techniques used to define botanical products. Collecting recent work and current developments in the field of contemporary phytomedicine as well as their future possibilities in human health care, the book includes unique contributions in the form of chapters on phytomedicine and screening biological activities explained with diverse hyphenated techniques, as well as issues related to herbal medications, such as efficacy, adulteration, safety, toxicity, regulations, and drug delivery. Written for the Springer Protocols Handbooks series, chapters feature advice from experts on how to best conduct future experiments. Extensive and practical, Natural Product Experiments in Drug Discovery serves as an ideal reference for students, professors, and researchers in universities, R&D institutes, pharmaceutical and herbal enterprises, and health organizations.