Biology of Horticulture

John E. Preece and Paul E. Read are the authors of The Biology of Horticulture: An Introductory Textbook, 2nd Edition, published by Wiley.

• PART 1 HORTICULTURAL BIOLOGY 11 INTRODUCTION 3Horticulture Defined 4History of Horticulture 62 PLANT CLASSIFICATION 13Early Classification Systems 13Botanical Classification/Taxonomy 14Horticultural Classification 18References 223 PLANT STRUCTURE 23The Cell 23Organs 30Flowers 49Fruits 57References 634 PLANT GENOTYPE 65Genetic Improvements 66Genetic Terminology 67Fertilization 74Heritability 74Cloning Plants 77Plant Breeding 79Molecular Biology 81Cross-Fertilization 83Mutations 86Pest Resistance 91Summary 93References 93PART II THE AMBIENT ENVIRONMENT 955 LIGHT 97Photosynthesis 99Spacing and Orienting Plants for LightInterception 103Etiolation 109Effect of Pigments 113Photoperiodism 120Light Quantity and Plant Growth 127Light Sources and Their Use 133Systems for Measuring Light 136Summary 139References 1396 TEMPERATURE 141Temperature and Plant Growth 142Sugar and Starch Conversions 147Soil Temperature 149Temperature Monitoring and Control 154Cooling Controlled Environments 155Heating and Energy Conservation inControlled Environments 160Temperature and Site Selection 166Vernalization 168Dormancy 169Temperature Stress 172Low-Temperature Effects 172High-Temperature Effects 183Temperature Fluctuations 185Summary 186References 186PART III THE RHIZOSPHERE (ROOT ZONE) 1877 WATER 189Properties of Water 190Horticultural Applications and Water Management 198Irrigation 204Timing and Amount of Water 218Soil Moisture Measurement 220Summary 226References 2268 SOILS AND SOIL MANAGEMENT 229Characteristics of Soil 230Aeration and Drainage 239References 2499 MINERAL NUTRITION 251Early Knowledge of Essential Elements 251Mineral Nutrient Uptake 252Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen 256Macronutrients 257Micronutrients 259Fertilizer Practices 261Fertilizer Sources 266Inorganic Fertilizers 270Fertilizer Application Methods 273References 27910 MULCHES 281Advantages of Mulches 282Use of Organic Mulches 282Winter Mulching 284Nonorganic Mulches 285Limitations of Mulching 290Summary 291References 291PART IV PLANT GROWTH SUBSTANCES 29311 PLANT HORMONES 295Major Plant Hormones 297Growth-Promoting Hormones 297Wounding and Stress Hormones 297Growth-Promoting Hormones: Auxins 298Gibberellins 304Cytokinins 307Brassinosteroids 311Wounding and Stress Hormones: Ethylene 311Abscisic Acid 315Jasmonates 316Other Plant Growth Substances 317References 31712 CHEMICAL CONTROL OF PLANT GROWTH 319Dormancy 320Apical Dominance 322Apical Dominance 323Growth Retardation 324Vegetative Growth Promotion 326Flowering 326Sex Expression 328Fruiting 329Abscission and Harvest Aids 332Summary 334References 334PART V HORTICULTURAL PRACTICES 33513 PRUNING 337Pruning 337Summary 345References 34514 PLANT PROPAGATION 347Vegetative Propagation 349Cutting Propagation 349Cutting Types 356Layering 359Specialized Plant Structures 360Grafting and Budding 361Micropropagation 364Seed Propagation 368Hardening-Off 376Summary 377References 37715 POSTHARVEST HANDLING 379Quality and Maturity 380Biological Factors Involved in Deterioration 385Environmental Factors Influencing Deterioration 387Food Safety 389Harvesting 390Preparation for Market 391Storage 397Keys to Successful Handling of Horticultural Crops 403References 405Internet Resources 407PART VI PLANT PROBLEMS 40916 PLANT PESTS AND OTHER PROBLEMS 411Plant Diseases 413Fungi and Fungal-Like Organisms 416Deuteromycetes or Fungi Imperfecti 425Bacteria 425Mollicutes (Phytoplasmas and Spiroplasmas) 427Viruses and Viroids 427Parasitic Higher Plants 430Nematodes 431Horticultural Practices and Plant Disease 432Insects 432Types of Insect Damage to Plants 437Mites 445Snails and Slugs 446Vertebrate Pests 447Weeds 450Organic Approaches to Pest Management 453Safety in the Use of Pesticides 454Summary 455References 455APPENDIX 457SCHEDULE A Field-Grown Processing Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) 458SCHEDULE B Greenhouse-Grown Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) 460SCHEDULE C Balled and Burlapped Spreading Yew (Taxus cuspidata) 464SCHEDULE D Apple, a Temperate Tree Fruit (Malus pumila) 466SCHEDULE E Orange, a Subtropical Tree Fruit (Citrus sinensis) 470SCHEDULE F Kentucky Bluegrass Sod (Poa pratensis) 474Glossary 477Index 493