Richard C. Leegood - Böcker

The majority of the world's people depend research work should be carried out at the local and regional level by locally trained on plants for their livelihood since they grow them for food, fuel, timber, fodder and people. many other uses. A good understanding Following the success of our earlier book of the practical factors which govern the (Techniques in Bioproductivity and Photo­ synthesis; Pergamon Press, 1985), which productivity of plants through the process of photosynthesis is therefore of paramount was translated into four major languages, importance, especially in the light of cur­ the editors and contributors have exten­ rent concern about global climate change sively revised the content and widened the and the response of both crops and natural scope of the text,· so it now bears a title ecosystems. in line with current concern over global The origins of this book lie in a series of climate change. · In particular, we have training courses sponsored by the United added chapters on remote sensing, con­ Nations Environment Programme (Project trolled-environment studies, chlorophyll No. FP/6108-88-0l (2855); 'Environment fluorescence, metabolite partitioning and changes and the productivity of tropical the use of mass isotopes, all of which grasslands'), with additional support from techniques are increasing in their applica­ many international and national agencies. tion and importance to this subject area.

This text is an updated version of a previously published title "Techniques in Bioproductivity and Photosynthesis", 2nd edition (Coombs et al) and, like its predecessor, has derived from UNEP-sponsored training courses which are internationally known and respected. It provides coverage of many measurement techniques of photosynthesis and relates them to the subject of global climate change, which is becoming of increasing concern. The editors, themselves of high international standing, have brought together an extremely eminent team of plant scientists, each of whom provides up-to-date information on a single important parameter of plant growth, the techniques employed in its measurement and a detailed review of the techniques themselves.

Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Second Edition Edited by Peter J. Lea Department of Biological Sciences, Lancaster University, UK and Richard C. Leegood Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, UK As research in plant metabolism and molecular biology continues to make great progress it has become essential for plant scientists to have an overview of both disciplines, which are becoming increasingly complementary in understanding plant function. Drawing on their own teaching and research experience, the editors and contributors have provided a timely, comprehensive and generously illustrated new edition of this successful introductory textbook. All of the chapters have been updated and revised, and a new chapter on secondary metabolism has been included. Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will be invaluable to undergraduate and postgraduate students in the plant sciences and to all those requiring an introduction to current concepts in molecular plant science. Reviews of the First Edition "The aim of the editors to blend plant biochemistry with molecular biology is successfully reached and provided a new, well written text book which is easy to read." Journal of Plant Physiology "The contributing chapters are well written with clear illustrations and I would expect undergraduates, to whom this book is primarily targeted, to enjoy using it." New Phytologist "The evident teaching experience of the authors make this textbook a useful aid to students and researchers." Photosynthetica What the lecturers said about the First Edition: "A very useful text with a good balance of traditional biochemistry and molecular biology. Its usefulness is enhanced by a very clear and visually pleasing layout and the generally high quality and clarity of the writing." "A surprising amount of information in an easily accessible format." "Good coverage and depth. I'm not aware of any other book that deals with this material so well as this one. It addresses a real need in plant science teaching."

The principal aim of this text is to provide final year undergraduates, graduate students and researchers with an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of photosynthetic carbon metabolism in plants, ranging from molecular to ecophysiological aspects. The book examines how CO2 is acquired by algae and by plants and is divided into three sections. The first section concentrates on the pathways (the Calvin cycle and photorespiration, with particular emphasis on Rubisco) and the regulation of CO2 fixation. The second section deals with the fate of fixed carbon, in chapters on the synthesis of products, such as sucrose, starch, fructans and sugar alcohols, and with the regulation of cellular partitioning of carbon, including topics such as respiration and feedback regulation of photosynthesis by carbohydrates. The last section concentrates on the various problems that plants face in taking up CO2 from their environment, and how CO2 concentrating mechanisms operate in the algae and in plants with C4 photosynthesis and Crassulacean Acid Metabolism. The ecological significance of these mechanisms is discussed.