J. Kolek - Böcker

Until recently the interest of plant physiologists in the structure and function of the root, as compared with the above-ground organs, was rather limited. In contrast to the data obtained from agricultural research, where the root is understood as an organ of water and nutrient uptake, recent studies on root systems have evolved as a consequence of an increase in our general knowledge of the transport of substances across biological cell membranes. This has led to increased interest in studies of ion uptake and transport from a novel viewpoint. Parallel to this, the complexity of the histological structure of the root has necessitated a study of this structure in relation to processes which take place in the root. The evaluation of such complex relationships is, in this book, concentrated on recent findings concerning the anatomical structure of the root in relation to its functional manifestations. Based on the principles of structure and function, the metabolic processes in the root, as well as the uptake and transport of water and ions are dealt with. The emphasis throughout is on the structural features.Finally, a short chapter has been included about the root under conditions of environmental stress.

The 2nd International Symposium on Structure and Function of Roots or- ganised by the Slovak Academy of Sciences was held in Bratislava in early September 1980 and continued the theme ofits 1971 predecessor at Tatranska Lomnica. The symposium started with 'structural characteristics of roots in relation to the process of growth'. The approach was notable for the way in which it brought together cytologists, electron microscopists and physiologists to discuss pro- blems of common interest and set the scene for a muItidisciplinary approach to the remainder of the Symposium. Metabolie aspects of roots under normal conditions and after being exposed to stress received considerable attention, together with interesting contributions concerned with responses of roots to gravity. The session on water movement provided a useful balance between theoretical papers on the one hand and the resuIts ofthe use ofnew experimental approaches to the problem on the other. The Symposium continued with the examination of factors affecting the transport 01' ions into and across roots, particular attention focussing on metabolie aspects concerned with delivery ofions to the shoot.The problems associated with coordinating the separate functions 01' the root were introduced by a group ofpapers, again supported by contributions in which new experimental methods were described.