Molecular Analysis of Plant Adaptation to the Environment

Adverse environmental factors can impose stress on plants and influence the expression of the full genetic potential for growth and reproduction. The capability of plants to develop plastic response reactions, to adapt to environmental stress situations, is unique in the biological world. A goal of the research described in this volume is to increase crop productivity, particularly in regions where the environment imposes stress. An understanding of the principles involved in plant adaptation to environmental stress will enable optimization of practices to improve agronomic production and minimize damaging environmental impact. The aim of this volume is to link the rapidly advancing and increasingly specialist field of molecular biology with plant physiology at the ecosystem level. The book includes chapters focused on some principle methods and a series of up-to-date review chapters on plant adaptation to a variety of specific stresses. The utilization of newly available genome information is emphasized. Of particular importance is the desire to highlight the potential of such approaches, and how diverse disciplines can interact and complement one another.