The purpose of this text book is to present classical plant development in modern, molecular-genetic terms. The study of plant development is rapidly changing as genome sequencing projects uncover a multitude of new genes. Molecular Genetics of Plant Development provides a framework for integrating gene discovery and genome analysis into the context of plant development. Taking a systems approach, concepts in plant development are compared with those in animal development, and complex processes, such as flowering and photomorphogenesis, are presented as pathways of gene action regulated by positional and environmental cues. Emphasis is placed on organ formation, such as the development of roots, shoots and leaves, and life cycle events, for example, embryogenesis, seedling development, and the transition to flowering. Examples are drawn primarily from model plants with well-studied genetic systems, particularly Arabidopsis and maize. Molecular Genetics of Plant Development is designed to be used as a textbook for upper division or graduate courses in plant development.
Preface. A word on genetic nomenclature
1. Approaches to the study of plant development
2. Cell lineages and positional information
3. Embryogenesis
4. Seedling development
5. Shoot Development
6. Leaf Development
7. Transition to flowering
8. Flower development
9. Development of floral reproductive organs and gametophytes
10. Pollination and apomixis: pollen germination, pollen tube guidance, self incompatibility, apomixis
11. Seed and fruit development
12. Root development
13. Vascular development
Index
"The quality of Stephen Howell's book is first class. It is well-written and up-to-date [...] The book is packed with helpful illustrations and photographs [...] an excellent book that I can wholeheartedly recommend. It sets a benchmark for future advanced undergraduate texts and I look forward to seeing further editions in due course."
- Jerry Roberts, Annals of Botany
"[...] excellent, and it can be highly recommended for advanced students and researchers in the fields of plant development and plant molecular biology."
- Biologia Plantarum