This book is intended for people interested in plant ecophysiology research or related sciences. It should also be useful for scientists working in forestry or agronomy. Twenty-seven chapters cover a whole range of techniques, from electron microscopy applied to seed germination, flow cytometry applied to different measures, cell cycle studies, field and lab measures related to photosynthesis (from pigments to gas exchange and fluorescence), determination of water-related parameters, and techniques to measure phenolics, total soluble proteins, stress proteins, polyamines, proline, RubisCO activity, ATPases, ABA, and ion interchange. Each chapter includes both physiological aspects of the measured parameter and the chosen reference technique for that parameter. A special emphasis is put on allelopathy research, although the book will be valuable for the study of any kind of stress. All chapters can be read independently, and both expert and inexperienced scientists will be able to take advantage of the handbook.
List of Contributors. Preface. Acknowledgments. 1. Seed Bioassay and Microscopy in the Study of Allelopathy: Radish and Purslane Responses; G. Aliotta, G. Cafiero. 2. Flow Cytometry: Principles and Instrumentation; A. Blanco Fernandez, et al. 3. Flow Cytometry: DNA Quantification; A. Blanco Fernandez. 4. Use of Flow Cytometry to Measure Physiological Parameters; T. Coba de la Pena. 5. Flow Cytometry: Cell Cycle; T. Coba de la Pena, A. Sanchez-Moreiras. 6. Mitotic Index; A.M. Sanchez-Moreiras, et al. 7. Determination of Photosynthetic Pigments; L. Gonzalez. 8. Gas Exchange Techniques in Photosynthesis and Respiration. Infrared Gas Analyzer; P. Ramos Tamayo, et al. 9. Use of Oxygen Electrode in Measurements of Photosynthesis and Respiration; L. Gonzalez, et al. 10. Fluorescence Techniques; M.J. Reigosa Roger, O. Weiss. 11. Modulated Fluorescence; O. Weiss, M.J. Reigosa Roger. 12. Plant Water Status; L. Gonzalez, M.J. Reigosa Roger. 13. Determination of Water Potential in Leaves; L. Gonzalez. 14. Determination of Relative Water Content; L. Gonzalez, M. Gonzalez-Vilar. 15. Determination of Water Potential in Soils; L. Gonzalez. 16. Determination of Transpiration Using a Steady-State Porometer; M.J. Reigosa Roger, A. Sanchez-Moreiras. 17. Stomata Imprints. A New and Quick Method to Count Stomata and Epidermis Cells; M.H. Meister, H.R. Bolhar-Nordenkampf. 18. HPLC Techniques - Phenolics; X. Carlos Souto, et al. 19. Protein Content Quantification by Bradford Method; N. Pedrol Bonjoch, P. Ramos Tamayo. 20. Two-dimensional Electrophoresis. Stress Proteins; A.M. Sanchez-Moreiras, N. Pedrol Bonjoch. 21. Polyamines Determination by TLC and HPLC; N. Pedrol, A.F. Tiburcio. 22. Free Proline Quantification; P. Ramos Tamayo, N. Pedrol Bonjoch. 23. Assessment of D-ibulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) enzymatic activity; T. Coba de la Pena, et al. 24. ATP Phosphohydrolase Activity; A.M. Sanchez-Moreiras. 25. Root Uptake and Release of Ions; A.M. Sanchez-Moreiras, O. Weiss. 26. Radioinmunoassay of Abscisic Acid; M.A. Bacon. 27. Radiochemical Techniques to Quantify Allelochemicals in Plants; G. Chiapusio, F. Pellissier.