Author: Ernest Small
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1439856885
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 691
Book Description
Many edible plants considered exotic in the Western world are actually quite mainstream in other cultures. While some of these plants are only encountered in ethnic food markets or during travels to foreign lands, many are now finding their way onto supermarket shelves. Top 100 Exotic Food Plants provides comprehensive coverage of tropical and semi
Top 100 Exotic Food Plants
Author: Ernest Small
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1439856885
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 691
Book Description
Many edible plants considered exotic in the Western world are actually quite mainstream in other cultures. While some of these plants are only encountered in ethnic food markets or during travels to foreign lands, many are now finding their way onto supermarket shelves. Top 100 Exotic Food Plants provides comprehensive coverage of tropical and semi
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1439856885
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 691
Book Description
Many edible plants considered exotic in the Western world are actually quite mainstream in other cultures. While some of these plants are only encountered in ethnic food markets or during travels to foreign lands, many are now finding their way onto supermarket shelves. Top 100 Exotic Food Plants provides comprehensive coverage of tropical and semi
Edible Insects
Author: Arnold van Huis
Publisher: Bright Sparks
ISBN: 9789251075951
Category : Conservation of natural resources
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Edible insects have always been a part of human diets, but in some societies there remains a degree of disdain and disgust for their consumption. Although the majority of consumed insects are gathered in forest habitats, mass-rearing systems are being developed in many countries. Insects offer a significant opportunity to merge traditional knowledge and modern science to improve human food security worldwide. This publication describes the contribution of insects to food security and examines future prospects for raising insects at a commercial scale to improve food and feed production, diversify diets, and support livelihoods in both developing and developed countries. It shows the many traditional and potential new uses of insects for direct human consumption and the opportunities for and constraints to farming them for food and feed. It examines the body of research on issues such as insect nutrition and food safety, the use of insects as animal feed, and the processing and preservation of insects and their products. It highlights the need to develop a regulatory framework to govern the use of insects for food security. And it presents case studies and examples from around the world. Edible insects are a promising alternative to the conventional production of meat, either for direct human consumption or for indirect use as feedstock. To fully realise this potential, much work needs to be done by a wide range of stakeholders. This publication will boost awareness of the many valuable roles that insects play in sustaining nature and human life, and it will stimulate debate on the expansion of the use of insects as food and feed.
Publisher: Bright Sparks
ISBN: 9789251075951
Category : Conservation of natural resources
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Edible insects have always been a part of human diets, but in some societies there remains a degree of disdain and disgust for their consumption. Although the majority of consumed insects are gathered in forest habitats, mass-rearing systems are being developed in many countries. Insects offer a significant opportunity to merge traditional knowledge and modern science to improve human food security worldwide. This publication describes the contribution of insects to food security and examines future prospects for raising insects at a commercial scale to improve food and feed production, diversify diets, and support livelihoods in both developing and developed countries. It shows the many traditional and potential new uses of insects for direct human consumption and the opportunities for and constraints to farming them for food and feed. It examines the body of research on issues such as insect nutrition and food safety, the use of insects as animal feed, and the processing and preservation of insects and their products. It highlights the need to develop a regulatory framework to govern the use of insects for food security. And it presents case studies and examples from around the world. Edible insects are a promising alternative to the conventional production of meat, either for direct human consumption or for indirect use as feedstock. To fully realise this potential, much work needs to be done by a wide range of stakeholders. This publication will boost awareness of the many valuable roles that insects play in sustaining nature and human life, and it will stimulate debate on the expansion of the use of insects as food and feed.
Postharvest Handling
Author: Nigel H. Banks
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0080920780
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 637
Book Description
Consideration of the interactions between decisions made at one point in the supply chain and its effects on the subsequent stages is the core concept of a systems approach. Postharvest Handling is unique in its application of this systems approach to the handling of fruits and vegetables, exploring multiple aspects of this important process through chapters written by experts from a variety of backgrounds.Newly updated and revised, this second edition includes coverage of the logistics of fresh produce from multiple perspectives, postharvest handing under varying weather conditions, quality control, changes in consumer eating habits and other factors key to successful postharvest handling.The ideal book for understanding the economic as well as physical impacts of postharvest handling decisions.Key Features:*Features contributions from leading experts providing a variety of perspectives*Updated with 12 new chapters*Focuses on application-based information for practical implementation*System approach is unique in the handling of fruits and vegetables
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0080920780
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 637
Book Description
Consideration of the interactions between decisions made at one point in the supply chain and its effects on the subsequent stages is the core concept of a systems approach. Postharvest Handling is unique in its application of this systems approach to the handling of fruits and vegetables, exploring multiple aspects of this important process through chapters written by experts from a variety of backgrounds.Newly updated and revised, this second edition includes coverage of the logistics of fresh produce from multiple perspectives, postharvest handing under varying weather conditions, quality control, changes in consumer eating habits and other factors key to successful postharvest handling.The ideal book for understanding the economic as well as physical impacts of postharvest handling decisions.Key Features:*Features contributions from leading experts providing a variety of perspectives*Updated with 12 new chapters*Focuses on application-based information for practical implementation*System approach is unique in the handling of fruits and vegetables
Lychee Disease Management
Author: Manoj Kumar
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811042470
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 282
Book Description
This book offers a comprehensive compilation of biotic and abiotic factors that affect lychee production and commercialization. It addresses disease management for a range of causal agents, including the leaf mite (Acerya litchi Keifer), leaf miner (Conopomorpha cramerella), fruit borers (Conopomorpha cramerella, Platypeplus aprobola Meyer and Dichocrosis sp.), leaf webber / roller (Platypepla aprobola Meyer), litchi bug (Tessarotoma javanica Thunb), bark-eating caterpillar (Indarbela quadrinotata) and shoot borer (Chlumetia transversa), etc. Specialized chapters highlight potential approaches to optimizing and increasing the scope of lychee export, as well as systematic research on the development and refinement of technologies for enhancing lychee productivity and quality. Further aspects addressed include post-harvest handling, processing and value addition, the development of tolerant varieties, high yield and processing. As such, ‘Lychee Disease Management’ offers a valuable resource dedicated to the global agriculture community, which is currently facing considerable production and commercialization problems.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811042470
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 282
Book Description
This book offers a comprehensive compilation of biotic and abiotic factors that affect lychee production and commercialization. It addresses disease management for a range of causal agents, including the leaf mite (Acerya litchi Keifer), leaf miner (Conopomorpha cramerella), fruit borers (Conopomorpha cramerella, Platypeplus aprobola Meyer and Dichocrosis sp.), leaf webber / roller (Platypepla aprobola Meyer), litchi bug (Tessarotoma javanica Thunb), bark-eating caterpillar (Indarbela quadrinotata) and shoot borer (Chlumetia transversa), etc. Specialized chapters highlight potential approaches to optimizing and increasing the scope of lychee export, as well as systematic research on the development and refinement of technologies for enhancing lychee productivity and quality. Further aspects addressed include post-harvest handling, processing and value addition, the development of tolerant varieties, high yield and processing. As such, ‘Lychee Disease Management’ offers a valuable resource dedicated to the global agriculture community, which is currently facing considerable production and commercialization problems.
FUTURE SMART FOOD
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
ISBN: 9251304955
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 241
Book Description
This publication demonstrates the benefits of neglected and underutilized species, including amaranth, sorghum and cowpea, and their potential contribution to achieving Zero Hunger in South and Southeast Asia.
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
ISBN: 9251304955
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 241
Book Description
This publication demonstrates the benefits of neglected and underutilized species, including amaranth, sorghum and cowpea, and their potential contribution to achieving Zero Hunger in South and Southeast Asia.
Singapore in Global History
Author: Derek Thiam Soon Heng
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press
ISBN: 9048514371
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 322
Book Description
This important overview explores the connections between Singapore's past with historical developments worldwide until present day. The contributors analyse Singapore as a city-state seeking to provide an interdisciplinary perspective to the study of the global dimensions contributing to Singapore's growth. The book's global perspective demonstrates that many of the discussions of Singapore as a city-state have relevance and implications beyond Singapore to include Southeast Asia and the world. This vital volume should not be missed by economists, as well as those interested in imperial histor.
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press
ISBN: 9048514371
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 322
Book Description
This important overview explores the connections between Singapore's past with historical developments worldwide until present day. The contributors analyse Singapore as a city-state seeking to provide an interdisciplinary perspective to the study of the global dimensions contributing to Singapore's growth. The book's global perspective demonstrates that many of the discussions of Singapore as a city-state have relevance and implications beyond Singapore to include Southeast Asia and the world. This vital volume should not be missed by economists, as well as those interested in imperial histor.
Postharvest Handling of Tropical Fruits
Author: Bruce R. Champ
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 504
Book Description
Overview of the problems: Tropical fruits: the social, political, and economic Issues; Quality assurance: a total approach; An economic evaluation of postharvest tropical fruit research: some preliminary results; Regulations and quarantine in international trade; Session summary; Marketing of tropical fruits: Prospects for marketing tropical fruits in Asia; Trends and changes in the european market for tropical fruits and their impact on technological requirements; Postharvest handling of avocado, mango, and lychee for export from south Africa; The market for tropical fruits in Japan; Diagnosing the causes of outturn problems in imported tropical fruits; Harvesting, processing, and transportation: When to harvest-maturity standards versus harvesting indices (abstract only); Fruit packing house operations to improve returns; Fruit handling systems in developing countries; Impact and vibration damage to fruit during handling and transportation; Minimal processing of tropical fruits; Session summary; Postharvest diseases and disorders: Control of postharvest diseases of tropical fruits: challenges for the 21 st. century: Infection processes of colletotrichum species in subtropical and tropical fruits; Preharvest fungicidal sprays for postharvest disease control in fruits; A review of biological control of postharvest diseases of subtropical fruits; Sulfur dioxide fumigation in postharvest handling of fresh longan and lychee for export; Session summary; Storage and ripening: Tropical fruit physiology and storage potential; Biochemical and molecular approaches to fruit ripening and senescence; Calcium an fruit storage potential; Postharvest water relations in horticultural crops: principles and problems; Modified and controlled atmosphere storage of tropical fruits; New developments in modified atmosphere packaging and surface coatings for fruits; Preharvest effects on postharvest quality of subtropical and tropical fruits; Session summary; Disinfestation of tropical fruits: Quarantine disinfestation of tropical fruits: non-chemical options; Heat disisfestation of mangoes: effect on fruit quality and disease control; Preharvest fruit fly control: strategies for the tropics; Disinfestation: effect of non-chemical treatments on market quality of fruit; Proposed standardisation of protocols for quarantine treatment of fruit; Session summary; Contributed poster papers: Overview issues: Postharvest studies on some tropical and subtropical fruits in Pakistan; Potential of value-added fruit products in Papua New Guinea; The economic potential of interventions to reduce postharvest losses of tropical fruits and nuts in Papua New Guinea; Aspects of marketing tropical fruits in temperate climates; A multivariate factor analysis of consumer preference on banana attributes; Maturity assessment: Determination of maturity indices for Sri Lankan embul bananas; Development of maturity indices for longan; Maturation and harvesting criteria for avocado (abstract only); Disinfestation and primary processing: Postharvest handling and quarantine of tropical fruit in the Jiangmen region of Guangdon, China; Effects of gamma irradiation and hot-water treatment on the shelf life and quality of Thai Mango cv. rad; Effect of irradiation and storage tempeature on the shelf life and quality of Thai licheee; Insect qurantine treatments and fruit ripening; Microwaves as a quarantine treatment to disinfest commodities of pests; Effect of pH and sugar concentration on apple cider quality; Osmotic dehydration of membrane-coated pineapple; Anti-fruit-fly activity of extracts of black pepper and other edible plants; The potential use of insecticidal atmospheres for mango, avocado, and papaya fruits; Preliminary investigation of microrganisms antagonistic to colletotrichum gloeosporioides obtained from rambutan; Electron beam irradiation combined with hot-water immersion treatment for banana preservation (abstract only); Fruit fly problem and disinfestation research in Malaysia (abstract only); Storage and ripening: Internal quality analysis of watermelons by and acoustic technique and its application in Japan; Feasibility studies into NIR technique for meassurement of internal quality of some tropical fruits; Distribution of mineral in Alphonso mango during ripening; Effect of calcium on physicochemical changes in Alphonso mango during ripening and storage; A low-cost cool chamber: an innovative technology for developing countries; Effect of low temperatures on storage life and quality of carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.)cv. B17; Incidence of chilling injury in Salacca zalacca; Internal carbon dioxide and ethylene of avocado fruit (Persea americana Mill.) measured by equilibrium technique; Effects of plantation and postharvest management factors on shelf life of ' Williams' banana; Optimisation of indigenous ripening systems for bananas in the Philippines; Fundamental studies on respiration rates and storage properties of some tropical fruits grown on Okinawa; Reducing decay and extending shelf life of bell-peppers and mangoes by modified atmosphere packaging; Modified atmosphere storage of bananas at chilling temperatures; Storage of fresh pineapples; The effect of sucrose ester coating on ambient temperature storage of several fruits; Effects of different precooling methods and times on the storage quality of carambola variety B10; Effect of maturity, damage, and humidity on the ripening of plantain and cooking banana; Modified atmosphere packaging by perforated polymeric film and its effect on physical properties of mango fruit; Productivity and postharvest behaviour of black sapote in the Israeli Negev desert (abstract only); Storage and ripening of Kenyan mangoes (Abstracts only); The storage of sapodilla (Manilkara achras L.) at 10, 15, and 20 o. C (abstract only); Factors influencing the ripening of 'chanee' and 'monthong' durians (abstract only); Effects of ethylene application on fruit postharvest characteristics of cucumis metuliferus Mey. (abstract only); Postharvest diseases and disorders: Mango postharvest disease control: effect of rain at harvest, fungicide treatments, and fruit brushing on fruit appearance; Sour rot diesease on citrus fruits: importance and control; Hot-water control of anthracnose on mango varietis arumanis, golek and manalagi; Efficacy of propiconazole against fungi causing postharvest disease on eksotika papaya; Freckle disease of banana; Phytophthora fruit rot of durian (Durio zibethinus L.); Postharvest fruit rot o banana caused by colletotrichum musae (Berg. & Curt.)Arx. and its control; Application of candida guilliermondii in commercial citrus waxes for biocontrol of penicillium on grapefruit; Phomopsis fruit rot of mango and its control; Management of 'jelly-seed' in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv.Tommy Atkins (abstract only); Session summaries-contributed poster papers: Workshop reports: Controlled atmospheres/modified atmospheres; Postharvest physiology; Disinfestation; Diseases; Biocontrol of diseases; Molecular biology; Trade and marketing; Education and training; Research network on tropical fruit trees in Asia.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 504
Book Description
Overview of the problems: Tropical fruits: the social, political, and economic Issues; Quality assurance: a total approach; An economic evaluation of postharvest tropical fruit research: some preliminary results; Regulations and quarantine in international trade; Session summary; Marketing of tropical fruits: Prospects for marketing tropical fruits in Asia; Trends and changes in the european market for tropical fruits and their impact on technological requirements; Postharvest handling of avocado, mango, and lychee for export from south Africa; The market for tropical fruits in Japan; Diagnosing the causes of outturn problems in imported tropical fruits; Harvesting, processing, and transportation: When to harvest-maturity standards versus harvesting indices (abstract only); Fruit packing house operations to improve returns; Fruit handling systems in developing countries; Impact and vibration damage to fruit during handling and transportation; Minimal processing of tropical fruits; Session summary; Postharvest diseases and disorders: Control of postharvest diseases of tropical fruits: challenges for the 21 st. century: Infection processes of colletotrichum species in subtropical and tropical fruits; Preharvest fungicidal sprays for postharvest disease control in fruits; A review of biological control of postharvest diseases of subtropical fruits; Sulfur dioxide fumigation in postharvest handling of fresh longan and lychee for export; Session summary; Storage and ripening: Tropical fruit physiology and storage potential; Biochemical and molecular approaches to fruit ripening and senescence; Calcium an fruit storage potential; Postharvest water relations in horticultural crops: principles and problems; Modified and controlled atmosphere storage of tropical fruits; New developments in modified atmosphere packaging and surface coatings for fruits; Preharvest effects on postharvest quality of subtropical and tropical fruits; Session summary; Disinfestation of tropical fruits: Quarantine disinfestation of tropical fruits: non-chemical options; Heat disisfestation of mangoes: effect on fruit quality and disease control; Preharvest fruit fly control: strategies for the tropics; Disinfestation: effect of non-chemical treatments on market quality of fruit; Proposed standardisation of protocols for quarantine treatment of fruit; Session summary; Contributed poster papers: Overview issues: Postharvest studies on some tropical and subtropical fruits in Pakistan; Potential of value-added fruit products in Papua New Guinea; The economic potential of interventions to reduce postharvest losses of tropical fruits and nuts in Papua New Guinea; Aspects of marketing tropical fruits in temperate climates; A multivariate factor analysis of consumer preference on banana attributes; Maturity assessment: Determination of maturity indices for Sri Lankan embul bananas; Development of maturity indices for longan; Maturation and harvesting criteria for avocado (abstract only); Disinfestation and primary processing: Postharvest handling and quarantine of tropical fruit in the Jiangmen region of Guangdon, China; Effects of gamma irradiation and hot-water treatment on the shelf life and quality of Thai Mango cv. rad; Effect of irradiation and storage tempeature on the shelf life and quality of Thai licheee; Insect qurantine treatments and fruit ripening; Microwaves as a quarantine treatment to disinfest commodities of pests; Effect of pH and sugar concentration on apple cider quality; Osmotic dehydration of membrane-coated pineapple; Anti-fruit-fly activity of extracts of black pepper and other edible plants; The potential use of insecticidal atmospheres for mango, avocado, and papaya fruits; Preliminary investigation of microrganisms antagonistic to colletotrichum gloeosporioides obtained from rambutan; Electron beam irradiation combined with hot-water immersion treatment for banana preservation (abstract only); Fruit fly problem and disinfestation research in Malaysia (abstract only); Storage and ripening: Internal quality analysis of watermelons by and acoustic technique and its application in Japan; Feasibility studies into NIR technique for meassurement of internal quality of some tropical fruits; Distribution of mineral in Alphonso mango during ripening; Effect of calcium on physicochemical changes in Alphonso mango during ripening and storage; A low-cost cool chamber: an innovative technology for developing countries; Effect of low temperatures on storage life and quality of carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.)cv. B17; Incidence of chilling injury in Salacca zalacca; Internal carbon dioxide and ethylene of avocado fruit (Persea americana Mill.) measured by equilibrium technique; Effects of plantation and postharvest management factors on shelf life of ' Williams' banana; Optimisation of indigenous ripening systems for bananas in the Philippines; Fundamental studies on respiration rates and storage properties of some tropical fruits grown on Okinawa; Reducing decay and extending shelf life of bell-peppers and mangoes by modified atmosphere packaging; Modified atmosphere storage of bananas at chilling temperatures; Storage of fresh pineapples; The effect of sucrose ester coating on ambient temperature storage of several fruits; Effects of different precooling methods and times on the storage quality of carambola variety B10; Effect of maturity, damage, and humidity on the ripening of plantain and cooking banana; Modified atmosphere packaging by perforated polymeric film and its effect on physical properties of mango fruit; Productivity and postharvest behaviour of black sapote in the Israeli Negev desert (abstract only); Storage and ripening of Kenyan mangoes (Abstracts only); The storage of sapodilla (Manilkara achras L.) at 10, 15, and 20 o. C (abstract only); Factors influencing the ripening of 'chanee' and 'monthong' durians (abstract only); Effects of ethylene application on fruit postharvest characteristics of cucumis metuliferus Mey. (abstract only); Postharvest diseases and disorders: Mango postharvest disease control: effect of rain at harvest, fungicide treatments, and fruit brushing on fruit appearance; Sour rot diesease on citrus fruits: importance and control; Hot-water control of anthracnose on mango varietis arumanis, golek and manalagi; Efficacy of propiconazole against fungi causing postharvest disease on eksotika papaya; Freckle disease of banana; Phytophthora fruit rot of durian (Durio zibethinus L.); Postharvest fruit rot o banana caused by colletotrichum musae (Berg. & Curt.)Arx. and its control; Application of candida guilliermondii in commercial citrus waxes for biocontrol of penicillium on grapefruit; Phomopsis fruit rot of mango and its control; Management of 'jelly-seed' in mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv.Tommy Atkins (abstract only); Session summaries-contributed poster papers: Workshop reports: Controlled atmospheres/modified atmospheres; Postharvest physiology; Disinfestation; Diseases; Biocontrol of diseases; Molecular biology; Trade and marketing; Education and training; Research network on tropical fruit trees in Asia.
Disease Resistance in Fruit
Author: Greg I. Johnson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic books
Languages : en
Pages : 252
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic books
Languages : en
Pages : 252
Book Description
Tropical Fruit Pests and Pollinators
Author: Jorge E. Peña
Publisher: CABI
ISBN: 9780851994345
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 430
Book Description
Insects and other pests cause major economic damage on fruit crops in the tropics. However, some insects are beneficial and have a role in pollinating flowers and thus enabling a fruit set. This book, written by leading authors from around the world, reviews the injurious and beneficial organisms and how they might be controlled to enhance fruit production and quality.
Publisher: CABI
ISBN: 9780851994345
Category : Gardening
Languages : en
Pages : 430
Book Description
Insects and other pests cause major economic damage on fruit crops in the tropics. However, some insects are beneficial and have a role in pollinating flowers and thus enabling a fruit set. This book, written by leading authors from around the world, reviews the injurious and beneficial organisms and how they might be controlled to enhance fruit production and quality.
Plant Organ Abscission: From Models to Crops
Author: Timothy J. Tranbarger
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2889453286
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 273
Book Description
Plant organ abscission is a developmental process regulated by the environment, stress, pathogens and the physiological status of the plant. In particular, seed and fruit abscission play an important role in seed dispersion and plant reproductive success and are common domestication traits with important agronomic consequences for many crop species. Indeed, in natural populations, shedding of the seed or fruit at the correct time is essential for reproductive success, while for crop species the premature or lack of abscission may be either beneficial or detrimental to crop productivity. The use of model plants, in particular Arabidopsis and tomato, have led to major advances in our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying organ abscission, and now many workers pursue the translation of these advances to crop species. Organ abscission involves specialized cell layers called the abscission zone (AZ), where abscission signals are perceived and cell separation takes place for the organ to be shed. A general model for plant organ abscission includes (1) the differentiation of the AZ, (2) the acquisition of AZ cells to become competent to respond to various abscission signals, (3) response to signals and the activation of the molecular and cellular processes that lead to cell separation in the AZ and (4) the post-abscission events related to protection of exposed cells after the organ has been shed. While this simple four-phase framework is helpful to describe the abscission process, the exact mechanisms of each stage, the differences between organ types and amongst diverse species, and in response to different abscission inducing signals are far from elucidated. For an organ to be shed, AZ cells must transduce a multitude of both endogenous and exogenous signals that lead to transcriptional and cellular and ultimately cell wall modifications necessary for adjacent cells to separate. How these key processes have been adapted during evolution to allow for organ abscission to take place in different locations and under different conditions is unknown. The aim of the current proposal is to present and be able to compare recent results on our understanding of organ abscission from model and crop species, and to provide a basis to understand both the evolution of abscission in plants and the translation of advances with model plants for applications in crop species.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2889453286
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 273
Book Description
Plant organ abscission is a developmental process regulated by the environment, stress, pathogens and the physiological status of the plant. In particular, seed and fruit abscission play an important role in seed dispersion and plant reproductive success and are common domestication traits with important agronomic consequences for many crop species. Indeed, in natural populations, shedding of the seed or fruit at the correct time is essential for reproductive success, while for crop species the premature or lack of abscission may be either beneficial or detrimental to crop productivity. The use of model plants, in particular Arabidopsis and tomato, have led to major advances in our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying organ abscission, and now many workers pursue the translation of these advances to crop species. Organ abscission involves specialized cell layers called the abscission zone (AZ), where abscission signals are perceived and cell separation takes place for the organ to be shed. A general model for plant organ abscission includes (1) the differentiation of the AZ, (2) the acquisition of AZ cells to become competent to respond to various abscission signals, (3) response to signals and the activation of the molecular and cellular processes that lead to cell separation in the AZ and (4) the post-abscission events related to protection of exposed cells after the organ has been shed. While this simple four-phase framework is helpful to describe the abscission process, the exact mechanisms of each stage, the differences between organ types and amongst diverse species, and in response to different abscission inducing signals are far from elucidated. For an organ to be shed, AZ cells must transduce a multitude of both endogenous and exogenous signals that lead to transcriptional and cellular and ultimately cell wall modifications necessary for adjacent cells to separate. How these key processes have been adapted during evolution to allow for organ abscission to take place in different locations and under different conditions is unknown. The aim of the current proposal is to present and be able to compare recent results on our understanding of organ abscission from model and crop species, and to provide a basis to understand both the evolution of abscission in plants and the translation of advances with model plants for applications in crop species.