Author: Shamsul Hayat
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9789400701885
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The entire range of the developmental processes in plants is regulated by a shift in the hormonal concentration, tissue sensitivity and their interaction with the factors operating around them. Out of the recognized hormones, attention has largely been focused on five - Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinin, Abscisic acid and Ethylene. However, the information about the most recent group of phytohormone (Brassinosteroids) has been incorporated in this book. This volume includes a selection of newly written, integrated, illustrated reviews describing our knowledge of Brassinosteroids and aims to describe them at the present time. Various chapters incorporate both theoretical and practical aspects and may serve as baseline information for future researches through which significant developments are possible. This book will be useful to the students, teachers and researchers, both in universities and research institutes, especially in relation to biological and agricultural sciences.
Brassinosteroids: A Class of Plant Hormone
Author: Shamsul Hayat
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9789400701885
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The entire range of the developmental processes in plants is regulated by a shift in the hormonal concentration, tissue sensitivity and their interaction with the factors operating around them. Out of the recognized hormones, attention has largely been focused on five - Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinin, Abscisic acid and Ethylene. However, the information about the most recent group of phytohormone (Brassinosteroids) has been incorporated in this book. This volume includes a selection of newly written, integrated, illustrated reviews describing our knowledge of Brassinosteroids and aims to describe them at the present time. Various chapters incorporate both theoretical and practical aspects and may serve as baseline information for future researches through which significant developments are possible. This book will be useful to the students, teachers and researchers, both in universities and research institutes, especially in relation to biological and agricultural sciences.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9789400701885
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The entire range of the developmental processes in plants is regulated by a shift in the hormonal concentration, tissue sensitivity and their interaction with the factors operating around them. Out of the recognized hormones, attention has largely been focused on five - Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinin, Abscisic acid and Ethylene. However, the information about the most recent group of phytohormone (Brassinosteroids) has been incorporated in this book. This volume includes a selection of newly written, integrated, illustrated reviews describing our knowledge of Brassinosteroids and aims to describe them at the present time. Various chapters incorporate both theoretical and practical aspects and may serve as baseline information for future researches through which significant developments are possible. This book will be useful to the students, teachers and researchers, both in universities and research institutes, especially in relation to biological and agricultural sciences.
Brassinosteroids
Author: V. A. Khripach
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0080528317
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 472
Book Description
Plants possess the ability to biosynthesize a large variety of steroids, but it was not until 1979 that a hormonal function was demonstrated in plants. Today, about 40 structurally and functionally related steroids, known as brassinosteroids, have been isolated from natural sources. Brassinosteroids demonstrate various kinds of regulatory activities in the growth and development of plants. This book is based on a 1990 Russian monograph, but includes all important subsequent literature and developments, including unpublished data from the authors' laboratories.BRASSINOSTEROIDS: A New Class of Plant Hormones covers: - Structures and classification - Isolation and spectroscopic determination - Biosynthesis and metabolism - Natural product synthesis - Physiological mode of action - Structure-activity relationships - Practical applications in agriculture
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0080528317
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 472
Book Description
Plants possess the ability to biosynthesize a large variety of steroids, but it was not until 1979 that a hormonal function was demonstrated in plants. Today, about 40 structurally and functionally related steroids, known as brassinosteroids, have been isolated from natural sources. Brassinosteroids demonstrate various kinds of regulatory activities in the growth and development of plants. This book is based on a 1990 Russian monograph, but includes all important subsequent literature and developments, including unpublished data from the authors' laboratories.BRASSINOSTEROIDS: A New Class of Plant Hormones covers: - Structures and classification - Isolation and spectroscopic determination - Biosynthesis and metabolism - Natural product synthesis - Physiological mode of action - Structure-activity relationships - Practical applications in agriculture
Brassinosteroids: Plant Growth and Development
Author: Shamsul Hayat
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811360588
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 449
Book Description
The entire range of the developmental process in plants is regulated by a shift in the hormonal concentration, tissue sensitivity and their interaction with the factors operating around the plants. Phytohormones play a crucial role in regulating the direction of plant in a coordinated fashion in association with metabolism that provides energy and the building blocks to generate the form that we recognize as a plant. Out of the recognized hormones, attention has largely been focused on Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Abscisic acid, Ethylene and more recently on Brassinosteroids. In this book we are providing the information about a brassinosteroids that again confirm its status as phytohormones because it has significant impact on various aspects of the plant life and its ubiquitous distribution throughout the plant kingdom. Brassinosteroids are generating a significant impact on plant growth and development, photosynthesis, transpiration, ion uptake and transport, induces specific changes in leaf anatomy and chloroplast structure. This book is not an encyclopedia of reviews but includes a selected collection of newly written, integrated, illustrated reviews describing our knowledge of brassinosteroids. The aim of this book is to tell all about brassinosteroids, by the present time. The various chapters incorporate both theoretical and practical aspects and may serve as baseline information for future researches through which significant development is possible. It is intended that this book will be useful to the students, teachers and researchers, both in universities and research institutes, especially in relation to biological and agricultural sciences.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811360588
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 449
Book Description
The entire range of the developmental process in plants is regulated by a shift in the hormonal concentration, tissue sensitivity and their interaction with the factors operating around the plants. Phytohormones play a crucial role in regulating the direction of plant in a coordinated fashion in association with metabolism that provides energy and the building blocks to generate the form that we recognize as a plant. Out of the recognized hormones, attention has largely been focused on Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Abscisic acid, Ethylene and more recently on Brassinosteroids. In this book we are providing the information about a brassinosteroids that again confirm its status as phytohormones because it has significant impact on various aspects of the plant life and its ubiquitous distribution throughout the plant kingdom. Brassinosteroids are generating a significant impact on plant growth and development, photosynthesis, transpiration, ion uptake and transport, induces specific changes in leaf anatomy and chloroplast structure. This book is not an encyclopedia of reviews but includes a selected collection of newly written, integrated, illustrated reviews describing our knowledge of brassinosteroids. The aim of this book is to tell all about brassinosteroids, by the present time. The various chapters incorporate both theoretical and practical aspects and may serve as baseline information for future researches through which significant development is possible. It is intended that this book will be useful to the students, teachers and researchers, both in universities and research institutes, especially in relation to biological and agricultural sciences.
Brassinosteroids in Plant Developmental Biology and Stress Tolerance
Author: Golam Jalal Ahammed
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128132280
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 328
Book Description
Brassinosteroids in Plant Developmental Biology and Stress Tolerance provides insights into understanding the mechanisms of Brassinosteroid-regulated plant developmental biology and stress tolerance covering various biochemical, physiological, genetic and molecular studies. As unprecedented climate change poses a serious threat to global food security by intensifying environmental stresses, studies reveal that Brassinosteroids (BRs) could not only protect plants from stresses to ensure food security, but could also reduce toxic compounds in edible plant parts for assuring food safety. Therefore, utilization of BRs in modern agriculture will be of great significance in the context of global climate change. This book also highlights key information for developing eco-friendly growth regulators and understanding the importance of brassinosteroids in safe food production. - Presents the multifaceted roles of brassinosteroids as phytohormones in plant growth, development and response to biotic and/or abiotic stresses - Unveils the physiological and molecular mechanisms controlling plant stress response to biotic and abiotic stress - Discusses developmental processes relating to environmental adaptations that are mediated by brassinosteroids - Brings together recent works of experts studying brassinosteroid crosstalk with other signals, including hormones, sugars, redox and light signals
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128132280
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 328
Book Description
Brassinosteroids in Plant Developmental Biology and Stress Tolerance provides insights into understanding the mechanisms of Brassinosteroid-regulated plant developmental biology and stress tolerance covering various biochemical, physiological, genetic and molecular studies. As unprecedented climate change poses a serious threat to global food security by intensifying environmental stresses, studies reveal that Brassinosteroids (BRs) could not only protect plants from stresses to ensure food security, but could also reduce toxic compounds in edible plant parts for assuring food safety. Therefore, utilization of BRs in modern agriculture will be of great significance in the context of global climate change. This book also highlights key information for developing eco-friendly growth regulators and understanding the importance of brassinosteroids in safe food production. - Presents the multifaceted roles of brassinosteroids as phytohormones in plant growth, development and response to biotic and/or abiotic stresses - Unveils the physiological and molecular mechanisms controlling plant stress response to biotic and abiotic stress - Discusses developmental processes relating to environmental adaptations that are mediated by brassinosteroids - Brings together recent works of experts studying brassinosteroid crosstalk with other signals, including hormones, sugars, redox and light signals
Brassinosteroids
Author: Bhushan Mandava
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 9781977242464
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 270
Book Description
J.W. Mitchell, N.B. Mandava and others' 1970 publication in Nature, "Brassins-A New Family of Plant Hormones from Rape Pollen" announced the discovery of a new plant hormone, brassinolide, which would also mark the sixth and newest group of plant hormones, brassinosteroids. This monograph details the early research leading to the isolation and synthesis of the first brassinosteroid to current research in the field. The 50 years of brassinosteroid research can be separated in two parts; The first 25 years saw the innovation of different bioassays and isolation techniques while the last 25 years saw the investigation into brassinosteroids signaling, cross talk, stress response, and agricultural application. Since the discovery of brassinolide, there have now been 62 brassinosteroids identified through international research efforts. Several of these have been targeted for agricultural use with patents in many countries. Homobrassinolide is one such brassinosteroid that helps improve crop yield and fruit sweetness while conferring stress resistance. This monograph is the first to fully encompass the story of brassinosteroids. Progress in the First 25 Years Discovery of Brassins 1970 - Mitchell, Mandava, and others (Nature article) Screening of Various Kinds of Pollen Brassins - Field trials in Brazil and the USA Discovery of Brassinolide Detection of active ingredient by Bean Second-Internode Bioassay Isolation from Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Pollen Development of Laboratory Scale Purification Method Pilot-Plant Extraction of Pollen Identification of Brassinolide Synthesis of Brassinolide Structure-Activity of Brassinolide Analogs Synthesis of Brassinolide from sterol isolated from oysters Other Synthetic Methods for Brassinolide Development of Other Bioassays - Screening of Brassinosteroids using Various Bioassays Development of Sensitive Analytical Methods for Detection of Brassinosteroids Isolation of Other Brassinosteroids from Various Plant Sources Synthesis of Other Brassinosteroids Selection of three Brassinosteroids based on Bioassays Metabolism of Brassinosteroids Biosynthesis of Brassinosteroids Progress in the Second 25 Years Brassinosteroid Signaling Brassinosteroid Crosstalk Physiological Responses Senescence Stress Responses Pathogen Attack Gene Regulation Signal Transduction Metabolism of Brassinosteroids (cont.) Brassinosteroid Bio efficacy Agricultural Uses Mode of Action and Economic Benefits Field Trials
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 9781977242464
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 270
Book Description
J.W. Mitchell, N.B. Mandava and others' 1970 publication in Nature, "Brassins-A New Family of Plant Hormones from Rape Pollen" announced the discovery of a new plant hormone, brassinolide, which would also mark the sixth and newest group of plant hormones, brassinosteroids. This monograph details the early research leading to the isolation and synthesis of the first brassinosteroid to current research in the field. The 50 years of brassinosteroid research can be separated in two parts; The first 25 years saw the innovation of different bioassays and isolation techniques while the last 25 years saw the investigation into brassinosteroids signaling, cross talk, stress response, and agricultural application. Since the discovery of brassinolide, there have now been 62 brassinosteroids identified through international research efforts. Several of these have been targeted for agricultural use with patents in many countries. Homobrassinolide is one such brassinosteroid that helps improve crop yield and fruit sweetness while conferring stress resistance. This monograph is the first to fully encompass the story of brassinosteroids. Progress in the First 25 Years Discovery of Brassins 1970 - Mitchell, Mandava, and others (Nature article) Screening of Various Kinds of Pollen Brassins - Field trials in Brazil and the USA Discovery of Brassinolide Detection of active ingredient by Bean Second-Internode Bioassay Isolation from Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Pollen Development of Laboratory Scale Purification Method Pilot-Plant Extraction of Pollen Identification of Brassinolide Synthesis of Brassinolide Structure-Activity of Brassinolide Analogs Synthesis of Brassinolide from sterol isolated from oysters Other Synthetic Methods for Brassinolide Development of Other Bioassays - Screening of Brassinosteroids using Various Bioassays Development of Sensitive Analytical Methods for Detection of Brassinosteroids Isolation of Other Brassinosteroids from Various Plant Sources Synthesis of Other Brassinosteroids Selection of three Brassinosteroids based on Bioassays Metabolism of Brassinosteroids Biosynthesis of Brassinosteroids Progress in the Second 25 Years Brassinosteroid Signaling Brassinosteroid Crosstalk Physiological Responses Senescence Stress Responses Pathogen Attack Gene Regulation Signal Transduction Metabolism of Brassinosteroids (cont.) Brassinosteroid Bio efficacy Agricultural Uses Mode of Action and Economic Benefits Field Trials
Protective Chemical Agents in the Amelioration of Plant Abiotic Stress
Author: Aryadeep Roychoudhury
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119551641
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 702
Book Description
A guide to the chemical agents that protect plants from various environmental stressors Protective Chemical Agents in the Amelioration of Plant Abiotic Stress offers a guide to the diverse chemical agents that have the potential to mitigate different forms of abiotic stresses in plants. Edited by two experts on the topic, the book explores the role of novel chemicals and shows how using such unique chemical agents can tackle the oxidative damages caused by environmental stresses. Exogenous application of different chemical agents or chemical priming of seeds presents opportunities for crop stress management. The use of chemical compounds as protective agents has been found to improve plant tolerance significantly in various crop and non-crop species against a range of different individually applied abiotic stresses by regulating the endogenous levels of the protective agents within plants. This important book: Explores the efficacy of various chemical agents to eliminate abiotic stress Offers a groundbreaking look at the topic and reviews the most recent advances in the field Includes information from noted authorities on the subject Promises to benefit agriculture under stress conditions at the ground level Written for researchers, academicians, and scientists, Protective Chemical Agents in the Amelioration of Plant Abiotic Stress details the wide range of protective chemical agents, their applications, and their intricate biochemical and molecular mechanism of action within the plant systems during adverse situations.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119551641
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 702
Book Description
A guide to the chemical agents that protect plants from various environmental stressors Protective Chemical Agents in the Amelioration of Plant Abiotic Stress offers a guide to the diverse chemical agents that have the potential to mitigate different forms of abiotic stresses in plants. Edited by two experts on the topic, the book explores the role of novel chemicals and shows how using such unique chemical agents can tackle the oxidative damages caused by environmental stresses. Exogenous application of different chemical agents or chemical priming of seeds presents opportunities for crop stress management. The use of chemical compounds as protective agents has been found to improve plant tolerance significantly in various crop and non-crop species against a range of different individually applied abiotic stresses by regulating the endogenous levels of the protective agents within plants. This important book: Explores the efficacy of various chemical agents to eliminate abiotic stress Offers a groundbreaking look at the topic and reviews the most recent advances in the field Includes information from noted authorities on the subject Promises to benefit agriculture under stress conditions at the ground level Written for researchers, academicians, and scientists, Protective Chemical Agents in the Amelioration of Plant Abiotic Stress details the wide range of protective chemical agents, their applications, and their intricate biochemical and molecular mechanism of action within the plant systems during adverse situations.
Hormone Metabolism and Signaling in Plants
Author: Jiayang Li
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128115637
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 618
Book Description
Plant Hormones: Biosynthesis and Mechanisms of Action is based on research funded by the Chinese government's National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). This book brings a fresh understanding of hormone biology, particularly molecular mechanisms driving plant hormone actions. With growing understanding of hormone biology comes new outlooks on how mankind values and utilizes the built-in potential of plants for improvement of crops in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. This book is a comprehensive description of all major plant hormones: how they are synthesized and catabolized; how they are perceived by plant cells; how they trigger signal transduction; how they regulate gene expression; how they regulate plant growth, development and defense responses; and how we measure plant hormones. This is an exciting time for researchers interested in plant hormones. Plants rely on a diverse set of small molecule hormones to regulate every aspect of their biological processes including development, growth, and adaptation. Since the discovery of the first plant hormone auxin, hormones have always been the frontiers of plant biology. Although the physiological functions of most plant hormones have been studied for decades, the last 15 to 20 years have seen a dramatic progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of hormone actions. The publication of the whole genome sequences of the model systems of Arabidopsis and rice, together with the advent of multidisciplinary approaches has opened the door to successful experimentation on plant hormone actions. - Offers a comprehensive description of all major plant hormones including the recently discovered strigolactones and several peptide hormones - Contains a chapter describing how plant hormones regulate stem cells - Offers a fresh understanding of hormone biology, particularly molecular mechanisms driving plant hormone actions - Discusses the built-in potential of plants for improvement of crops in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128115637
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 618
Book Description
Plant Hormones: Biosynthesis and Mechanisms of Action is based on research funded by the Chinese government's National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). This book brings a fresh understanding of hormone biology, particularly molecular mechanisms driving plant hormone actions. With growing understanding of hormone biology comes new outlooks on how mankind values and utilizes the built-in potential of plants for improvement of crops in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. This book is a comprehensive description of all major plant hormones: how they are synthesized and catabolized; how they are perceived by plant cells; how they trigger signal transduction; how they regulate gene expression; how they regulate plant growth, development and defense responses; and how we measure plant hormones. This is an exciting time for researchers interested in plant hormones. Plants rely on a diverse set of small molecule hormones to regulate every aspect of their biological processes including development, growth, and adaptation. Since the discovery of the first plant hormone auxin, hormones have always been the frontiers of plant biology. Although the physiological functions of most plant hormones have been studied for decades, the last 15 to 20 years have seen a dramatic progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of hormone actions. The publication of the whole genome sequences of the model systems of Arabidopsis and rice, together with the advent of multidisciplinary approaches has opened the door to successful experimentation on plant hormone actions. - Offers a comprehensive description of all major plant hormones including the recently discovered strigolactones and several peptide hormones - Contains a chapter describing how plant hormones regulate stem cells - Offers a fresh understanding of hormone biology, particularly molecular mechanisms driving plant hormone actions - Discusses the built-in potential of plants for improvement of crops in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner
Brassinosteroids: A Class of Plant Hormone
Author: Shamsul Hayat
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400701896
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 477
Book Description
The entire range of the developmental processes in plants is regulated by a shift in the hormonal concentration, tissue sensitivity and their interaction with the factors operating around them. Out of the recognized hormones, attention has largely been focused on five - Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinin, Abscisic acid and Ethylene. However, the information about the most recent group of phytohormone (Brassinosteroids) has been incorporated in this book. This volume includes a selection of newly written, integrated, illustrated reviews describing our knowledge of Brassinosteroids and aims to describe them at the present time. Various chapters incorporate both theoretical and practical aspects and may serve as baseline information for future researches through which significant developments are possible. This book will be useful to the students, teachers and researchers, both in universities and research institutes, especially in relation to biological and agricultural sciences.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400701896
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 477
Book Description
The entire range of the developmental processes in plants is regulated by a shift in the hormonal concentration, tissue sensitivity and their interaction with the factors operating around them. Out of the recognized hormones, attention has largely been focused on five - Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinin, Abscisic acid and Ethylene. However, the information about the most recent group of phytohormone (Brassinosteroids) has been incorporated in this book. This volume includes a selection of newly written, integrated, illustrated reviews describing our knowledge of Brassinosteroids and aims to describe them at the present time. Various chapters incorporate both theoretical and practical aspects and may serve as baseline information for future researches through which significant developments are possible. This book will be useful to the students, teachers and researchers, both in universities and research institutes, especially in relation to biological and agricultural sciences.
Signaling by Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
Author: Joseph Schlessinger
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781936113330
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Receptor tyrosine kinases are cell-surface receptors that respond to numerous hormones and growth factors, including insulin, insulin-like growth factors, epidermal growth factor, and nerve growth factor. They activate highly conserved intracellular signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism, playing essential roles in developing and adult animals. This book examines the nature of these receptors and their ligands, the molecular mechanisms that they regulate within cells, and the roles of the receptors in normal physiology and control of embryogenesis. It also discusses how dysfunction of these mechanisms can contribute to cancer and other diseases.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781936113330
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Receptor tyrosine kinases are cell-surface receptors that respond to numerous hormones and growth factors, including insulin, insulin-like growth factors, epidermal growth factor, and nerve growth factor. They activate highly conserved intracellular signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism, playing essential roles in developing and adult animals. This book examines the nature of these receptors and their ligands, the molecular mechanisms that they regulate within cells, and the roles of the receptors in normal physiology and control of embryogenesis. It also discusses how dysfunction of these mechanisms can contribute to cancer and other diseases.
Brassinosteroids
Author: Shamsul Hayat
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401709483
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 254
Book Description
The entire range of the developmental processes in plants is regulated by the shift in the hormonal concentration, tissue sensitivity and their interaction with the factors operating around the plants. Out of the recognized hormones, attention has largely been focused on five (Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinin, Abscisic acid and Ethylene). However, in this book, the information about the most recent group of phytohormones (Brassinosteroids) has been compiled by us. It is a class of over 40 polyhydroxylated sterol derivatives, ubiquitously distributed throughout the plant kingdom. A large portion of these steroids is restricted to the reproductive organs (pollens and immature seeds). Moreover, their strong growth-inducing capacity, recognized as early as prior to their identification in 1979, tempted the scientists to visualize the practical importance of this group of phytohormones. The brassin solution, from rape pollen, was used in a collaborative project by the scientists of Brazil and U. S. A. in a p- sowing seed treatment to augment the yield. This was followed by large-scale scientific programmes in U. S. , Japan, China, Germany and erstwhile U. S. S. R. , after the isolation of the brassinosteroids. This approach suits best in today’s context where plants are targeted only as producers and hormones are employed to get desired results. Chapter 1 of this book (which embodies a total of 10 chapters), gives a comprehensive survey of the hitherto known brassinosteroids, isolated from lower and higher plants.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401709483
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 254
Book Description
The entire range of the developmental processes in plants is regulated by the shift in the hormonal concentration, tissue sensitivity and their interaction with the factors operating around the plants. Out of the recognized hormones, attention has largely been focused on five (Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinin, Abscisic acid and Ethylene). However, in this book, the information about the most recent group of phytohormones (Brassinosteroids) has been compiled by us. It is a class of over 40 polyhydroxylated sterol derivatives, ubiquitously distributed throughout the plant kingdom. A large portion of these steroids is restricted to the reproductive organs (pollens and immature seeds). Moreover, their strong growth-inducing capacity, recognized as early as prior to their identification in 1979, tempted the scientists to visualize the practical importance of this group of phytohormones. The brassin solution, from rape pollen, was used in a collaborative project by the scientists of Brazil and U. S. A. in a p- sowing seed treatment to augment the yield. This was followed by large-scale scientific programmes in U. S. , Japan, China, Germany and erstwhile U. S. S. R. , after the isolation of the brassinosteroids. This approach suits best in today’s context where plants are targeted only as producers and hormones are employed to get desired results. Chapter 1 of this book (which embodies a total of 10 chapters), gives a comprehensive survey of the hitherto known brassinosteroids, isolated from lower and higher plants.