E-raamat: Metalloids in Plants: Advances and Future Prospects

"This book will extensively cover the beneficial role as well as adverse effects of metalloids in plants. Particularly, the focus will be understanding of plant responses against metalloids at morphological, anatomical, biochemical, and molecular levels.Metalloids include elements like boron (B), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb) and tellurium (Te) which are having chemical properties in between metals and non-metals. Metalloids are highly abundant for instance Si is the second most abundant element in earth crust after oxygen. Silicon is also known to have a beneficial effect, particularly under stress conditions. Similarly, B is one of the essential elements for the plant. However, some of the metalloids like As, and Sb are highly toxic. Unfortunately, genes involved in uptake of beneficial metalloids are also responsible for the absorption of the toxic metalloid. In this regard, understanding of the molecular mechanism involved in metalloid uptake, and transport has great importance. Similarly, knowledge of genetics regulation of metalloids in plants will provide an opportunity to improve uptake of beneficial metalloid by avoiding the toxic metalloids. During the last decade, considerable progress has been achieved toward identification of genes, understanding of physiological and biochemical effects and genetic variation exist in plants regarding metalloids. Hence, there is a need to compile these studies in the form of an edited book. This book will be helpful to researchersand scientists to understand and plan future experiments. The book will enable plant scientists to unravel the different pathways and signaling cascades involved in their response that will allow generation of resistant plants either through breeding or genetic engineering approaches. Such knowledge will ultimately help crop improvement"--

Understanding metalloids and the potential impact they can have upon crop success or failure

Metalloids have a complex relationship with plant life. Exhibiting a combination of metal and non-metal characteristics, this small group of elements – which includes boron (B), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and tellurium (Te) – may hinder or enhance the growth and survival of crops. The causes underlying the effects that different metalloids may have upon certain plants range from genetic variance to anatomical factors, the complexities of which can pose a challenge to botanists and agriculturalists of all backgrounds.

With Metalloids in Plants, a group of leading plant scientists present a complete guide to the beneficial and adverse impacts of metalloids at morphological, anatomical, biochemical, and molecular levels. Insightful analysis of data on genetic regulation helps to inform the optimization of farming, indicating how one may boost the uptake of beneficial metalloids and reduce the influence of toxic ones. Contained within this essential new text, there are:

• Expert analyses of the role of metalloids in plants, covering their benefits as well as their adverse effects
• Explanations of the physiological, biochemical, and genetic factors at play in plant uptake of metalloids
• Outlines of the breeding and genetic engineering techniques involved in the generation of resistant crops

Written for students and professionals in the fields of agriculture, botany, molecular biology, and biotechnology, Metalloids in Plants is an invaluable overview of the relationship between crops and these unusual elements.