This is a collection of technical papers on the reproductive biology of plants, designed to provide a technical overview across plant groups. The editors stress that rapidly-escalating threats to native plants, especially in tropical areas, make it vital for botanists to understand the details of successful plant reproduction, as many species will only survive with captive breeding, breeding-assist, or reintroduction programs. Additionally, new possible crop plants depend on understanding reproductive biology. However, superspecialization in science in recent years has made it difficult to find broad-based information; this book is designed to give technical information across major taxa. Chapters cover microalgae, bryophytes, ferns, cycads, gymnosperms, and angiosperms, as well as case studies of some individual species of angiosperms. Other chapters look at pollination, nectar, reproductive hormones, self-sterility, and polyembryony. Annotation ©2014 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
Reproductive biology is the basis of species improvement and a thorough understanding of this is needed for plant improvement, whether by conventional or biotechnological methods. This book presents an up to date and comprehensive description of reproduction in lower plants, gymnosperms and higher plants. It covers general plant biology, pollination, pollen-pistil interaction, post-fertilization changes, and seed dormancy.
