This book covers whole Europe within its geographical limits, providing not only an overview about biogeography and recent taxonomic status of Charophyte species but also in-depth information about recent knowledge about ecology, ontogenesis, morphology, palaeontology and systematics of this group of algae. This is the first comprehensive treatment of European Charophytes. In addition, the reader for the first time is provided by definitions of terms applied to Charophytes, sorting out several previous confusions about terminology. Special attention was paid on oospores in order to exploit their potential for supporting species delineation as well as analysis of sediment records. A red list, dealing also with threats and habitat conditions, completes the book.

This book is the first volume of a compendium of the global distribution some 3500 aquatic macrophyte species occurring in inland freshwater and brackish waterbodies worldwide, highlighting aspects of their ecology including endemism, world rarity, ecozone/ macroregional occurrence, ploidy state, species age, uses, and endangered status. Although similar books exist for local regions (e.g., the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil) none provides complete and detailed information for macrophytes at global scale, so this book provides a novel resource on the distribution and ecology of macrophytes around the world.

Insects multiply. Destruction reigns. There is dismay, followed by outcry, and demands to Authority. Authority remembers its experts or appoints some: they ought to know. The experts advise a Cure. The Cure can be almost anything: holy water from Mecca, a Government Commis­ sion, a culture of bacteria, poison, prayers denunciatory or tactful, a new god, a trap, a Pied Piper. The Cures have only one thing in common: with a little patience they always work. They have never been known entirely to fail. Likewise they have never been known to prevent the next outbreak. For the cycle of abundance and scarcity has a rhythm of its own, and the Cures are applied just when the plague of insects is going to abate through its own loss of momentum. -Abridged, with insects in place of voles, from C. Elton, 1924, Voles, Mice and Lemmings, with permission of Oxford University Press This book is an enquiry into the "natural rhythms" of insect abundance in forested ecosystems and into the forces that give rise to these rhythms. Forests form unique environ­ ments for such studies because one can find them growing under relatively natural (pri­ meval) conditions as well as under the domination of human actions. Also, the slow growth and turnover rates of forested ecosystems enable us to investigate insect popula­ tion dynamics in a plant environment that remains relatively constant or changes only slowly, this in contrast to agricultural systems, where change is often drastic and frequent.

This sixth volume describes 226 species of 32 families of medicinal plants, which are commonly used in Chinese medicine. The most important species are Aquilaria sinensis and Daphne genkwa of Thymelaeaceae; Benincasa hispida, Siraitia grosvenorii, Trichosanthes kirilowii and Trichosanthes rosthornii of Cucurbitaceae; Camellia sinensis of Theaceae; Cleistocalyx operculatus, Eugenia caryophyllata and Rhodomyrtus tomentosa of Myrtaceae; Osbeckia chinensis of Melastomataceae; Quisqualis indica and Terminalia chebula of Combretaceae; Hypericum japonicum of Hypericaceae; Microcos paniculata of Tiliaceae; Hibiscus mutabilis of Malvaceae; Croton crassifolius, C. lachnocarpus, C. tiglium, Euphorbia humifusa, E. lathyris, E. pekinensis, Phyllanthus emblica and Sauropus spatulifolius of Euphorbiaceae.

This book is the first volume of a compendium of the global distribution some 3500 aquatic macrophyte species occurring in inland freshwater and brackish waterbodies worldwide, highlighting aspects of their ecology including endemism, world rarity, ecozone/ macroregional occurrence, ploidy state, species age, uses, and endangered status. Although similar books exist for local regions (e.g., the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil) none provides complete and detailed information for macrophytes at global scale, so this book provides a novel resource on the distribution and ecology of macrophytes around the world.

This book covers whole Europe within its geographical limits, providing not only an overview about biogeography and recent taxonomic status of Charophyte species but also in-depth information about recent knowledge about ecology, ontogenesis, morphology, palaeontology and systematics of this group of algae. This is the first comprehensive treatment of European Charophytes. In addition, the reader for the first time is provided by definitions of terms applied to Charophytes, sorting out several previous confusions about terminology. Special attention was paid on oospores in order to exploit their potential for supporting species delineation as well as analysis of sediment records. A red list, dealing also with threats and habitat conditions, completes the book.

This volume presents detailed reviews on biochemistry, classical genetics and traditional breeding, germplasm diversity, molecular genetics, tissue culture, biotechnology, and structural and functional genomics of ten major seed spices including ajwain, anise, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, fenugreek, Nigella and parsely.

This book discusses the natural classification and biosystematics of Triticeae and presents the most significant findings of comprehensive studies on the Triticeae, an important tribe in the grass family (Poaceae) that includes major crops such as wheat, barley, rye, and triticale, as well as various forage crops found in different genera. The five-volume Chinese version of Biosystematics of Triticeae was published in 1998, 2004, 2006, 2011, and 2013, and included the 30 genera, two subgenera, 464 species, nine subspecies, and 186 varieties of Triticeae identified to date. This is their English edition.

This book is the first comprehensive compilation of elucidation of the genome of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) and its genetic improvement. It includes reviews on the genetic resources, genetics and breeding and in vitro culture in cardamom and molecular characterization of phylogenetic relationship of cardamom of Columbia and Costa Rica. This book presents deliberations on the whole genome sequencing and SSR markers of small cardamom. It also enumerates on the genetics and genomics of biotic stress and host-pathogen interaction, genomics of flavors, and transcriptomics resources and their implications and finally functional regulation of mRNAs in cardamom. Altogether, the book contains about 150 pages over 10 chapters authored by globally reputed experts on the relevant field in this crop. The book is useful to the students, teachers, and scientists in the academia and relevant private companies interested in classical genetics and breeding, molecular genetics, structural genomics, functional genomics, plant pathology and plant physiology of cardamom.

This book covers whole Europe within its geographical limits, providing not only an overview about biogeography and recent taxonomic status of Charophyte species but also in-depth information about recent knowledge about ecology, ontogenesis, morphology, palaeontology and systematics of this group of algae. This is the first comprehensive treatment of European Charophytes. In addition, the reader for the first time is provided by definitions of terms applied to Charophytes, sorting out several previous confusions about terminology. Special attention was paid on oospores in order to exploit their potential for supporting species delineation as well as analysis of sediment records. A red list, dealing also with threats and habitat conditions, completes the book.

As an intricate association between a fungus and one or more green algae or cyanobacteria, lichens are one of the most successful examples of symbiosis. These fascinating organisms survive extreme desiccation and temperatures. They are adapted to a great variety of habitats, from deserts to intertidal zones, from tropical rain forests to the peaks of the Himalayas and to circumpolar ecosystems. Lichens are extremely efficient accumulators of atmospherically deposited pollutants, and are therefore widely used to monitor environmental pollution. Their wide range of secondary products show pharmaceutically interesting fungicidal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Lichens are extremely difficult to culture. This manual provides well-tested tissue culture protocols, protocols for studying lichen ultrastructure, (eco)physiology, primary and secondary compounds, and for using lichens as bioindicators.

The book provides currently available information on the changing climate and its impact on functional and adaptive features of plants. The book also cover cutting edge research on key determinants of plant growth

This book focuses on recent advances in biosensors and nanosensors to monitor, manage and improve horticultural crops in terms of plant growth, nutrient deficiency, toxicity, diseases, abiotic stress, soil amendments and agrochemicals entry into surrounding environment. Besides contributing to sustainable agriculture, these innovative tools facilitate promoting plant health and horticultural products quality and safety. The book consists of 11 chapters grouped in 4 parts. Part I Growth, Development and Productivity, Part II Trends in Abiotic and Biotic Stress Management, Part III Harvest Quality, Part IV Precision Agriculture and Environment Sustainability. Increased productivity, stimulation of plant growth, precise farming, monitoring food quality and freshness during production, processing, distribution and storage, reduced costs and waste, and sustainable agriculture are some of the concepts discussed. The book presents the mechanisms of biosensors and nanosensors for monitoring the various changes during pre- and post-harvest stages of horticultural crops. These are considered as efficient tools to achieve goals of plant breeders in horticultural crops improvement programs. Chapters are written by globally recognized scientists and subjected to a rigorous review process to ensure quality presentation and scientific precision. Each chapter begins with an introduction that covers similar contexts and includes a detailed discussion of the topic accompanied by high-quality color images, diagrams and relevant details and concludes with recommendations for future study directions in addition to a comprehensive bibliography.

South Africa boasts high biodiversity among its flora and this is associated with many undiscovered medicinal plants with therapeutic potential. To target this untapped resource, the first step is to introduce these species to a wider spectrum of audience, be they the academics who carry out research, students interested in holistic medicine and healing, or those working in the natural product industry. In this work, we document a list of medicinal plants from Sub-Saharan Africa that have been underestimated in their therapeutic value and not thoroughly studied. Our book contains the recent scientific studies and validation on the individual plants. Written and organised in an easily accessible way, each entry includes specific information on the plant’s distribution, traditional usage and their phytochemical content.

This edited volume provides insights into the current state of food and nutritional security, highlights the significance of micronutrients for human health, offers a historical perspective on biofortification, and covers current strategies and challenges. This book explores the role of multidisciplinary approaches to cope up with the challenges of major nutrient deficiency.