ADVANCES IN PLANT PHYSIOLOGY,

VOLUME – 7

ADVANCES IN PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, VOLUME 7, 2004 An International Treatise Series

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Editor-in-Chief A. HEMANTARANJAN

INTERNATIONAL CO-ORDINATORS AND CONSULTING EDITORS

Dr. O.K. GARG, India Dr. EUGENIO GIACHETTI, Italy Dr. D.N. TYAGI, India Dr. KATYA GEORGIEVA, Bulgaria Dr. A. HEMANTARANJAN, India Dr. EL HOUSSINE ZAID, Morocco Dr. FABIO M. DA MATTA, Brazil Dr. UWE DRUEGE, Germany Dr. UWE HACKE, U.S.A. Dr. JAUME FLEXAS, Spain Dr. CARLOS ALBERTO BUSSO, Argentina Dr. DOMINIQUE VAN DER STRAETEN, BelgiumDr. SERGEY SHABALA, Australia Dr. SURYA KANT, Israel Dr. PATRICIA LEÓN, México Dr. J.D.S. PANWAR, India Dr. HIDEAKI MATSUMOTO, Japan Dr. R.B.R. YADAV, India Dr. RUI MALHÓ, Portugal Dr. YUPSANIS, Spain Dr. ESTELA M. VALLE, Argentina Dr. FRANCOIS WIDMER, Switzerland

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATORS AND CONSULTING EDITORS

Dr. R.S. DWIVEDI, I.I.S.R., Lucknow Dr. A. VAISHAMPAYAN, B.H.U., Varanasi Dr. BANDANA BOSE, BHU, Varanasi Dr. R.S. DUBEY, B.H.U., Varanasi Dr. SHEELA AGARWAL, J.N. Vyas University, Jodhpur Dr. V.P. SINGH, I.A.R.I., New Delhi Dr. A.L. SINGH, National Research Centre for Groundnut, Junagadh Dr. G.S.R. MURTI, I.I.H.R., Bangalore

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Dr. ANJALI BHARTI TF-18, Tyagraj Colony, Banaras Hindu University

MOLECULAR PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND PLANT MICROBIOLOGY

ADVANCES IN PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

[ AN INTERNATIONAL TREATISE SERIES ]

VOLUME - 7

2004

Editor A. Hemantaranjan

Department of Plant Physiology Institute of Agricultural Sciences

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221 005 INDIA

Published by: PAWAN KUMAR Scientific Publishers (India) 5-A, New Pali Road, P.O. Box 91 JODHPUR - 342 001 E-mail: info@scientificpub.com www.scientificpub.com © Hemantaranjan, A., 2004 ISSN: 0972-9917 ISBN: 978-81-72333-81-1 eISBN: 978-93-87913-58-5 Lasertype set: Rajesh Ojha Printed in India

PREFACE

Indeed, creation of Volume 7 of the International Treatise Series has been made possible entirely due to praiseworthy contributions from World Scientists of eminence in unequivocal fields. It is delightful to mention that within seven years, this treatise has promptly made a room in the hearts of distinguished readers all through the globe explicitly attaining an international position. Auspiciously, the scientific temper is exclusively satisfying in the present era. Scientists are well in search of precise and complete literature pertaining to research. The competent International and National Co-ordinators who ever aspire for the spectacular growth of this important treatise Series have all along shared their views for the convenience of readers enabling them to speed-up significant research work.. Since the pertinent pieces of information about this treatise has been already launched on the website, hence, is with no uncertainty being circulated to each and every curvature of the earth. The Volume 7 is certainly only one of its kinds for a rare integration of most timely and indispensable worthy reviews of manifold significance contributed by sincere dedication of over fifty two experienced, laudable and well-known scientists/ stalwarts, of which thirty six participated from abroad. They are all devotedly engaged in research and with due concern shared their precious time to draw attention upon the relevance of some of the very useful themes crucial for promoting investigations in right direction in the years to come. I am once again repeating that this programme has been undertaken with a view to reinforce the identical efforts to recognize the outcome of meticulous research in some of the very sensible and stirring areas of Plant Physiology-Biochemistry-Plant Molecular Physiology/Biology. The instant creative writing coming in plentiful journals of repute reflecting new technologies in plant sciences need to be assembled in a positive, productive and helpful manner by experts all over the world.

Besides this, similar background as portrayed in previous volumes as well as inspirations drawn from the 2nd International Congress of Plant Physiology 2003, have been ever dwelling compassionately in heart to steadily come forward with wealthy scientific pieces of writing with a view to motivate and materialize the theme, essential for meeting the basic challenge of food and nutrition. Noticeably with inventive applied research, this difficulty could be lessened in future to a great extent. In Volume 7, attempts have been made to bring together much needed twenty one review articles dispersed in ten sections as described below :

The first and foremost section having only one chapter deals with special aspect of plant nutrition highlighting adaptive root structure. In this review, the morphology, anatomy, structure, function and nutritional control of cluster roots

vi Preface

(CR) are exposed, as well as certain mechanisms that command their formation. CR structures represent a unique system with which to explore some of the basic questions in plant biology. The ability to mobilize sparingly soluble nutrients such as P and Fe, and to access organic form of N and P is a highly desirable trait. This trait is of crucial importance for the survival of plants. The importance of understanding the functioning of these roots to the conservation of native flora and the increasing cultivation of native plants for floral, beverage, food, timber and medicinal products has sparked further interest in the specialized roots. Following Chapter One, the review by five renowned Italian scientists in Chapter Two of the second section will focus on the genetic basis of germination and seedling development in maize with particular emphasis on the mutational approach devised to dissect the developmental program leading to a seedling.

This is further to mention that this International Treatise Series has encompassed the vicinity of physiological microbiology and therefore, two imperative chapters have been duly incorporated in the current volume. From a phytopathological point of view, researches on grey mould must tend to an efficient control of B. cinerea by inhibition of its expression in the vineyards. The understanding of plant-microbe interaction with reference to biology, biochemistry and epidemiological development under field conditions is a key factor to improve control strategies, which has been well reviewed in Chapter Three. From a phytopathological point of view, researches on grey mould must tend to an efficient control of B. cinerea by inhibition of its expression in the vineyards.

Plants use many strategies to defend themselves from predators and pathogens. Accumulations of antimicrobial compounds called phytoalexins are believed to play an important role in the development of resistance. In recent years, NO (Nitric oxide) research in plants has increased tremendously and nitric oxide is now considered to be a multifunctional effector in the plant kingdom. The Chapter Four discusses the activity of nitric oxide in plants, with special emphasis on its role in plant defence responses against pathogens by four Brazilian workers. Five essential reviews have been compiled in the section of Molecular Advances in Plant Metabolism. The synthesis and metabolism of inositol and how these processes impact the physiology of plants primarily discussed on the gene products that catalyze key reactions in inositol metabolism are illustrated in Chapter Five. Subsequently, in Chapter Six the distinguished Japanese worker deals with recent advances concerning brassinosteroids, including biosynthesis, signaling, and response processes. Afterward, so far none of the enzymes involved in pectic polysaccharide biosynthesis has been identified directly by both biochemical characterization and gene cloning, Chapter Seven reviews initial steps towards understanding the organization of pectin biosynthesis, including attempts to purify each enzyme and to identify each gene involved in pectic polysaccharide synthesis. In Chapter Eight, Japanese team of workers from Plant Gene Expression Centre, USDA/ARS-University of California, USA, Institute of Biological Sciences and Nagoya University, Japan review polypeptides that act as signaling molecules identified from plants, where known, their receptors, polypeptide/receptor interactions and downstream signaling cascades have been wonderfully discussed. Later in Chapter Nine of this section, a well-known scientist from Estonia (Europe) presents details of experimental data, which collectively demonstrate that volatile

Preface vii

isoprenoids play multiple roles in the plant, together with protection from stress-induced oxidative damage that seems to be most promising hypothesis to explain the light- and temperature-dependent isoprenoid emissions.

The section of Abiotic Stresses : Cellular and Molecular Responses contains four important reviews that begin with the theme on rapid molecular responses to adverse environmental conditions, a phenomenon commonly designated as the heat shock response. Chapter Ten describes in detail all relevant aspects of heat shock proteins, which are also induced by other stresses such as cold, drought, salinity, toxic metals, inhibitors of energy metabolism, amino acid analogues, abscisic acid, glucose deprivation, exposure to free radicals, infection by pathogens and tissue injuries. A good deal of work in this regard has been well presented by two praiseworthy Indian scientists from Punjab University, Chandigarh. This is followed by an extensive review as Chapter Eleven on plant cellular and molecular responses to salt stress and their tolerance mechanisms by another two distinguished Indian scientists from the same place. Chapter Twelve discusses elaborately the heavy metal stress in plants, focusing mainly on heavy metal sequestration/tolerance mechanisms that plants develop against heavy metal stress by two well-known Indian scientists. Above all, the fourth review of this section as Chapter Thirteen exclusively illustrates the aluminium tolerance mechanisms accentuating a need in further fundamental research on the behaviour of different Al phytotoxic species as well as on their interactions with others soil elements prior to the development of efficient strategies capable to maintain high crop productivity in vast areas of the world affected by acidity and Al toxicity. This is indeed a critical overview about the use of biotechnology to maintain and enhance productivity by inducing Al resistance. In Chapter Fourteen of the section of Molecular Advances in Phytohormone Research the review by noteworthy Indian workers from Division of Biotechnology, IHBT, Palampur however, covers the advances made, especially during the last decade in the field of plant hormone receptors. In Chapter Fifteen a very compact and enlightening review on plant biomineralization has been brought together by two illustrious workers from Argentina with a view to understand a widely extended natural phenomenon that is found in almost every form of life. That’s no doubt, an added charm to this volume given separately as a single chapter of the seventh section.

Next to this, three privileged reviews (Chapters 16-18) of section eight meticulously details Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. In Chapter Sixteen three reputed French scientists briefly presented why real-time (RT-) PCR has attracted so much interest in the plant community. The whole section is reporting the detailed applications of real-time PCR in plant research. The Chapter Sixteen describes biotechnology in wheat breeding. Since traditional agriculture is facing serious limitations in natural resources and genetic variability to improve the efficiency of the system. A potential solution to solve these limiting issues can be found in an efficient breeding program assisted by biotechnological tools. Unfortunately, the use of biotechnology in wheat breeding programs has been slower than in other important commercial crops. The two prominent workers from Argentina have well done the indispensable task. Similarly, the biotechnology in forage crops and pasture plants has been also well reviewed by the same team leader from Argentina in Chapter 18.

viii Preface

The present volume is, nevertheless, exceptional in having two incomparable reviews for the section of Techniques in Plant Physiology. A celebrated and experienced German scientist of long-established repute of University of Giessen has reviewed on chemoperception analysis in intact leaves with microsensor based systems in the Chapter Nineteen. This work is devoted to application fields for electrochemical microsensors with respect to local chemical analysis within the substomatal cavity of plant leaves. Subsequently, Chapter Twenty deals with techniques in precision agriculture, which is the application of principles and technologies to manage spatial and temporal variability associated with all aspects of agricultural production, for the purpose of improving crop performance and environmental quality. Precision farming is the only solution to identify the causes of variability within the field and to carefully tailor soil and crop management to fit in each cultivated field. Certainly, these marvelous pieces of information would provide greater insight to improve our crop productivity in every respect. The last Chapter Twenty-one comprehensively explains the physiological basis of variation in the growth of wheat grains, the ultimate goal of our physiological, biochemical, molecular and biotechnological advancements. Altogether, Volume 7 is a vast treasure of relevant knowledge in the field of life sciences.

In this by and large committed endeavour, I am ecstatic to state my genuine gratitude to all illustrious and proficient Members of the Advisory Committee, for bringing-up this unrivalled, practical, well-judged and consequential treatise up-to the international standard. In addition, I am extremely grateful to the Fellow Members of the Indian Society for Plant Physiology, New Delhi for their trustworthy moral support and valued suggestions from time to time. My earnest appreciation is very much due to my admired colleagues, the staff members, and beloved students of the Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, B.H.U. for their thorough good wishes and being of central assistance as and when required. Besides all, I have my honest thanks also to Mr. A. Ishan Rahul, N.T.S.E. Fellow (Government of India), recently qualified with good rank for AIEEE-2004 Engineering (NIT), for his devoted concentration and incredible perfectionism in the conception of the very sensible and outstanding cover page of this Volume.

Last but not the least, I am beholden to my loving mother, and my all affectionate family members for their blessing above and beyond my fondness and compliments to my children for their skilled assistance in this massive task. I have my profound esteem to all of them. Besides these, I am extremely thankful to the outstanding staff members of the Scientific Publishers (India), Jodhpur, India, for their genuine competence in the perfect printing of this treatise. Above all, I blissfully recall that this undertaking is beforehand dedicated to the adoring memory of my revered father Late Dr. A. Chittaranjan Sahay. June 17, 2004 Dr. A. Hemantaranjan

Fellow, I.S.P.P. Editor-in-Chief

Advances in Plant Physiology Series

CONTRIBUTORS

INDIA

A. Hemantaranjan — Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - 221 005, India.

Gurpreet Kaur — Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh – 160 014, India. I.S. Dua — Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India Moinuddin— Potash Research Institute of India, Sector-19, Gurgaon - 122 016, Haryana,

India. Monika Singhi — Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh - 160 014. India. Muhammad Iqbal — Department of Botany, Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi

– 110 062, India. Neera Garg — Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh - 160 014. India P. Umamaheswari — Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Agricultural Research

Station, Anantapur – 515 001, A.P., India. P.K. Nagar — Division of Biotechnology, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology,

Palampur - 176 061, India Ranju Singla — Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh - 160 014, India Saroj Dua — Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh – 160 014, India. Shahid Umar — Department of Botany, Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi –

110 062, India. Shweta Sood — Division of Biotechnology, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology,

Palampur - 176 061, India T. Yellamanda Reddy — Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Agricultural

Research Station, Anantapur – 515 001, A.P., India.

USA

Glenda E. Gillaspy — Department of Biochemistry and Fralin Biotechnology Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA

Heping Yang — Plant Gene Expression Center, USDA/ARS-University of California-Berkeley, Albany, CA 94710, USA

Mustafa E. Ercetin — Department of Biochemistry and Fralin Biotechnology Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA

x Contributors

Ryan N. Burnette — Department of Biochemistry and Fralin Biotechnology Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA

JAPAN

Hiroshi Kamada — Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0006 Japan

Kenzo Nakamura — Graduate School of Bio-Agricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8601 Japan

M. Mori — Laboratory of Gene Expression, Department of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Agrobiological Science, 2-1-2 Kan-nondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8602, Japan

Sumihiro Hase — Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1, Machikaneyamacho, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan

Takeshi Ishimizu — Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1, Machikaneyamacho, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan

Youji Sakagami — Graduate School of Bio-Agricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8601 Japan

GERMANY

Stefan M. Hanstein — Botanisches Institut I, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Senckenbergstrasse 17, D-35390 Giessen, Germany

FRANCE

Annaick Mingam — Institut de Biotechnologie des Plantes, UMR CNRS 8618, Université Paris-Sud, 91 405 Orsay cedex. France.

Bénédicte Charrier — Institut de Biotechnologie des Plantes, UMR CNRS 8618, Université Paris-Sud, 91 405 Orsay cedex. France.

Claire Gachon — Institut de Biotechnologie des Plantes, UMR CNRS 8618, Université Paris-Sud, 91 405 Orsay cedex. France.

H.G. Diem — Rue Juliette Savar n° 37, 94.000, Créteil, France.

SWITZERLAND

Katia Gindro — Swiss Federal Research Station for Plant Production of Changins, P.O.B. 254, CH-1260 Nyon 1, Switzerland

Olivier Viret — Swiss Federal Research Station for Plant Production of Changins, P.O.B. 254, CH-1260 Nyon 1, Switzerland

Roger Pezet — Swiss Federal Research Station for Plant Production of Changins, secteur 1, Mycologie, P.O.B. 254, CH-1260 Nyon 1, Switzerland

ITALY

Anna Giulini — Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale, Universita’ degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano - Italy

Gabriella Consonni — Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale, Universita’ degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano - Italy

Giuseppe Gavazzi — Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale, Universita’ degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano - Italy

Contributors xi

Roberto Pilu — Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale, Universita’ degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano - Italy

Silvana Dolfini — Dipartimento di Genetica e di Biologia dei Microrganismi, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano – Italy

ARGENTINA

Enrique J. Baran — Centro de Química Inorgánica (CEQUINOR/CONICET,UNLP) Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, C. Correo 962, 1900-La Plata, Argentina

Marcelo Helguera — INTA EEA Marcos Juárez, Laboratorio de Biotecnología Secc. Trigo, Ruta 12 Km 2, (2580) Marcos Juárez, Argentina.

Marina L. Díaz — Laboratorio de Genética, Departamento de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Andrés 800, (8000) Bahía Blanca, Argentina.

Paula V. Monje — Centro de Química Inorgánica (CEQUINOR/CONICET,UNLP) Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, C. Correo 962, 1900-La Plata, Argentina

Viviana Echenique — CONICET y Laboratorio de Genética, Departamento de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Andrés 800, (8000) Bahía Blanca, Argentina.

BRAZIL

Anna L. Okorokova-Façanha — Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Microrganismos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, 28013-600, Brazil

Arnoldo Rocha Façanha — Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, 28013-600, Brazil

E.E. Saviani — Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil.

I. Salgado — Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil.

L.V. Modolo — Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, 13083-970, Brazil.

M.R. Braga — Seção de Fisiologia e Bioquímica de Plantas, Instituto de Botânica, São Paulo, SP, 01061-970, Brazil.

MOROCCO

El Morabet R — Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohammed V, Agdal, BP 1040, Avenue Ibn Battouta, Rabat Morocco.

H. Zaid — Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohammed V, Agdal, BP 1040, Avenue Ibn Battouta, Rabat Morocco.

M. Arahou — Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohammed V, Agdal, BP 1040, Avenue Ibn Battouta, Rabat Morocco.

ESTONIA

Ülo Niinemets — Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, EE 51010 Tartu, Estonia (Europe).

Volume – 7

CONTENTS

Preface v Contributors ix

SECTION – I PLANT NUTRITION : ADAPTIVE ROOT STRUCTURE

1. CLUSTER ROOTS — A SPECIAL ADAPTIVE ROOT STRUCTURE 1-33 — El Morabet R., H.G. Diem, A. Hemantaranjan, M. Arahou and H. Zaid

SECTION – II GERMINATION AND SEEDLING DEVELOPMENT

2. GERMINATION AND SEEDLING DEVELOPMENT IN MAIZE — A GENETIC APPROACH

37-68

— Giuseppe Gavazzi, Silvana Dolfini, Gabriella Consonni,Anna Giulini and Roberto Pilu

SECTION – III PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS AND PATHOGEN ATTACK

3. PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTION : THE BOTRYTIS GREY MOULD OF GRAPES — BIOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CONTROL MANAGEMENT

71-116

— Roger Pezet, Olivier Viret and Katia Gindro 4. NITRIC OXIDE SIGNALING IN PLANT DEFENCE RESPONSES TO PATHOGEN

ATTACK 117-137

— I. Salgado, E.E. Saviani, L.V. Modolo and M.R. Braga

SECTION – IV MOLECULAR ADVANCES IN PLANT METABOLISM

5. INOSITOL METABOLISM IN PLANT CELLS — A GENOMICS PERSPECTIVE 141-154 — Glenda E. Gillaspy, Mustafa E. Ercetin and Ryan N. Burnette

xiv Contents (Volume – 7)

6. BIOSYNTHESIS AND SIGNALING OF BRASSINOSTEROIDS 155-174 — M. Mori 7. PECTIN BIOSYNTHESIS 175-193 — Takeshi Ishimizu and Sumihiro Hase 8. PEPTIDE SIGNALING IN HIGHER PLANTS 195-231 — Heping Yang, Hiroshi Kamada, Kenzo Nakamura and Youji Sakagami 9. COSTS OF PRODUCTION AND PHYSIOLOGY OF EMISSION OF VOLATILE

LEAF ISOPRENOIDS 233-268

— Ülo Niinemets

SECTION – V ABIOTIC STRESSES : CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR RESPONSES

10. HEAT SHOCK PROTEINS – BIOLOGICAL ROLE AND REGULATION 271-286 — Saroj Dua and Gurpreet Kaur 11. PLANT CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR RESPONSES TO SALT STRESS AND

THEIR TOLERANCE MECHANISMS 287-308

— Neera Garg and Monika Singhi 12. PLANTS IN RELATION TO EXCESS OF HEAVY METALS 309-336 — Moinuddin, Shahid Umar and Muhammad Iqbal 13. ALUMINIUM TOLERANCE MECHANISMS : BEYOND OF Al3+ – INDUCED

ORGANIC ACIDS SECRETION 337-372

— Arnoldo Rocha Façanha and Anna L. Okorokova-Façanha

SECTION – VI MOLECULAR ADVANCES IN PHYTOHORMONE RESEARCH

14. ADVANCES IN PLANT HORMONE RECEPTORS 375-392 — P.K. Nagar and Shweta Sood

SECTION – VII PLANT BIOMINERALIZATION

15. PLANT BIOMINERALIZATION 395-410 — Paula V. Monje and Enrique J. Baran

SECTION – VIII PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

16. QUANTIFYING NUCLEIC ACIDS WITH FLUORESCENT PROBES — CONTRIBUTION OF REAL-TIME PCR TO APPLIED AND FUNDAMENTAL PLANT RESEARCH

413-448

— Annaick Mingam, Claire Gachon and Bénédicte Charrier

Contents (Volume – 7) xv

17. BIOTECHNOLOGY IN WHEAT BREEDING 449-466 — Marcelo Helguera and Viviana Echenique 18. BIOTECHNOLOGY IN FORAGE CROPS AND PASTURE PLANTS 467-519 — Marina L. Díaz and Viviana Echenique

SECTION – IX TECHNIQUES IN PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

19. CHEMOPERCEPTION ANALYSIS IN INTACT LEAVES WITH MICROSENSOR-BASED SYSTEMS

523-536

— Stefan M. Hanstein 20. PRECISION AGRICULTURE 537-558 — T. Yellamanda Reddy and P. Umamaheswari

SECTION – X PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF YIELD

21. PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF THE VARIATIONS IN GROWTH OF WHEAT GRAINS (Triticum aestivam)

561-594

— I.S. Dua, Neera Garg and Ranju Singla

INDEX 595-602

Contents of Previous Volumes (1 to 6) 603-609

SECTION — I

PLANT NUTRITION : ADAPTIVE ROOT STRUCTURE