The publication of Volume 8 of the International Treatise Series on Advances in Plant Physiology has been feasible - exclusively and unquestionably due to commendable contributions from World Scientists of distinction in explicit fields. within eight years, the treatise series has been instituted in the spirits and compassion of illustrious readers all through the world. The proficient International and National Co-ordinators have all along unified their views for the expediency of readers assisting them to speed up important research work in the field of Plant and Crop Physiology, Biochemistry & Plant Molecular Biology. in spite of handiness of quick accessibility of vast literature from internet, this treatise series in the field of life sciences has been realized over and above to be like a true guide, friend and philosopher, everlastingly enlightening the most hidden perceptible nerves of an individual worker, which is beyond the competence of mere web services. The volume 8 is absolutely another one of its kinds for incorporation of most timely and important worthy reviews of diverse objectives contributed by forty four well-informed, admirable and documented scientists/ stalwarts, of which twenty three participated from abroad. The original writing coming in bounteous journals of international repute covering new technologies and tools in plant science research have been pulled together in affirmative, prolific and supportive manner by specialists all over the globe. In this volume efforts have been made to fetch together twenty one indispensable review articles, duly evaluated by the respective Consulting Editors of international stature from India, U.K., U.S.A., Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Portugal, Israel, and Morocco and rationally distributed in eight sections. Indeed, the treatise is wealth for interdisciplinary exchange of information. Apart from fulfilling need of this kind of exclusive edition in different volumes for research teams in Molecular Plant Physiology and Biochemistry in traditional and agricultural universities, institutes and research laboratories throughout the world, it would be extremely a constructive book and a voluminous reference material for acquiring advanced knowledge by post-graduate and Ph.D. scholars in response to the innovative courses in Plant Physiology, Plant Biochemistry, Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Agronomy, Horticulture, and Botany.

The publication of Volume 8 of the International Treatise Series on Advances in Plant Physiology has been feasible - exclusively and unquestionably due to commendable contributions from World Scientists of distinction in explicit fields. within eight years, the treatise series has been instituted in the spirits and compassion of illustrious readers all through the world. The proficient International and National Co-ordinators have all along unified their views for the expediency of readers assisting them to speed up important research work in the field of Plant and Crop Physiology, Biochemistry & Plant Molecular Biology. in spite of handiness of quick accessibility of vast literature from internet, this treatise series in the field of life sciences has been realized over and above to be like a true guide, friend and philosopher, everlastingly enlightening the most hidden perceptible nerves of an individual worker, which is beyond the competence of mere web services. The volume 8 is absolutely another one of its kinds for incorporation of most timely and important worthy reviews of diverse objectives contributed by forty four well-informed, admirable and documented scientists/ stalwarts, of which twenty three participated from abroad. The original writing coming in bounteous journals of international repute covering new technologies and tools in plant science research have been pulled together in affirmative, prolific and supportive manner by specialists all over the globe. In this volume efforts have been made to fetch together twenty one indispensable review articles, duly evaluated by the respective Consulting Editors of international stature from India, U.K., U.S.A., Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Portugal, Israel, and Morocco and rationally distributed in eight sections.Indeed, the treatise is wealth for interdisciplinary exchange of information. Apart from fulfilling need of this kind of exclusive edition in different volumes for research teams in Molecular Plant Physiology and Biochemistry in traditional and agricultural universities, institutes and research laboratories throughout the world, it would be extremely a constructive book and a voluminous reference material for acquiring advanced knowledge by post-graduate and Ph.D. scholars in response to the innovative courses in Plant Physiology, Plant Biochemistry, Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Agronomy, Horticulture, and Botany.CONTENTSSECTION ⬠I. PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR ADVANCES IN ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSES 1. Physiological and molecular implications of salicylic acid in plants under environ-mental stresses ⬠A. Hemantaranjan2. The physiology of somatic embryo induction ⬠A stressful start ⬠A. Fehér and K. à tvös3. Phenolic compounds in plant cuticles : physiological and ecological aspects ⬠G. Karabourniotis and G. Liakopoulos4. Cold acclimation in plants ⬠Sheela Agarwal5. Low temperature tolerance in crop plants : strategies for crop improvement ⬠Arunava Pattanayak and Jiban Mitra6. Rhizobium ⬠Legume symbiosis under salt stress : effects, adaptations and amelio-ration ⬠Neera Garg, Anu and Vini Arora7. Plant peroxidases ⬠A brief note on response to metal pollutants ⬠kavita shahSECTION ⬠II. PLANT SIGNALING MOLECULES - PATHWAYS AND MECHANISMS 8. Signaling through RHO-type GTPases in plants ⬠A. Szûcs, D. Dorjgotov and A. Fehér9. Cross talk for rapid communication in plants through electrical signalling ⬠Neeti Sanan Mishra, Sudir K. Sopory and Narendra Tuteja 10. Nitrogen signaling in higher plants ⬠Ann Ying Chiao and Hon-Ming Lam11 Auxin as a positional and patterning molecule essential for embryo development in plants ⬠Christiane Fischer-Iglesias and Nicole Rober-KleberSECTION ⬠III. MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY12. Achene proteins in jelly fig (Ficus awkeotasang) and their potential biotechnological application ⬠Miki M.C. Wang and Jason T.C. Tzen13.Seed storage proteins : structure, properties and approaches for improvement by genetic engineering ⬠N. K. Chrungoo, Sangeeta Bharali and Cressida Jamir14. Current advances in Agrobacterium ⬠Plant interactions and their implications on agricultural biotechnology ⬠Ajith Anand and Kirankumar S. Mysore15. Sclerotinia disease and engineered resistance in oilseed crops ⬠Xu Hu and Guihua LuSECTION ⬠IV. PLANT SECONDARY METABOLITE 16. Terpenoid metabolism in cotton (Gossypium spp.) and qinghao (Artemisia annua) ⬠Shan Lu and Xiao-Ya ChenSECTION ⬠V. PLANT DEFENSE MECHANISM AND METABOLISM17. Role of a non-protein tripeptide, glutathione in plant metabolism ⬠Saroj Dua and Praveen Dobhal18. Cadmium interaction with thiols and photosynthesis in higher plants ⬠F. Pietrini, M.A. Iannelli, R. Montanari, D. Bianconi and A. MassacciSECTION ⬠VI. PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF YIELD 19. Physiological approaches for enhancing yield potential in legumes ⬠A. Bhattacharya, Vijaylaxmi and J.D.S. PanwarSECTION ⬠VII. PHYSIOLOGY OF HORTICULTURAL PLANTS20. Role of calcium in the physiology of horticultural plants ⬠S.P. Singh, Lalit Bhatt, N.V. Singh and Ritu JhaSECTION ⬠VIII. TECHNIQUES IN PLANT PHYSIOLOGY21. Applications of vibrational spectroscopy to the investigation of plant material ⬠Enrique J. BaranINDEX

The conception of Volume 17 of the International Treatise Series on Advances in Plant Physiology has been made possible entirely due to worthy contributions from World Scientists, teachers and researchers of eminence in unequivocal fields. Scientists are well in search of specific and complete literature pertaining to meaningful research for the holistic development of agriculture. The undertaking of this Treatise Series on Plant Physiology is to genuinely categorize the insufficiencies in view of mounting consequential researches for increasing productivity, prosperity and sustainability of agriculture through influential and developing technologies for restructuring metabolic limitations most responsive to abiotic stress factors. Certainly, our idea is to recognize innovative science of value across the broad disciplinary range of the treatise. The aim is to make stronger the distinctive outcome of conscientious research in some of the very sensitive areas of Plant Physiology-Plant Molecular Physiology/ Molecular Biology that broadly highlights the recent developments and mechanisms underlying plant resilience to changing environments. This volume brings collectively much needed twenty-one review articles by fifty-one dedicated contributors for this volume assorted into five relevant sections, viz., Section I: Abiotic Stresses & Plant Productivity: Physiological & Molecular Perspectives; Section II:Plant Trace Elements in Plant Physiology; Section III: Plant Functions Research in Agricultural Progression; Section IV: Physiological Basis of Yield; Section V: Nutraceuticals, Medicinal & Aromatic Plant Wealth. This is commendable that the Volume 17 deals with challenges of ongoing international concern over the abiotic stresses under changing climate besides vital aspects related to image-based plant phenotyping; phenomics and its application in physiological breeding; trace elements; plant functions; physiological basis of yield variation; medicinal and aromatic plants and so on. Apart from fulfilling the acute need of this kind of select edition in different volumes for research teams and scientists engaged in various facets of plant sciences research in traditional and agricultural universities, institutes and research laboratories throughout the world, it would be extremely a constructive book and a voluminous reference material for acquiring advanced knowledge by post-graduate and Ph.D. scholars in response to the innovative courses in Plant Physiology, Plant Biochemistry, Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Agronomy, Horticulture, and Botany.

Researches have made tremendous progress in the area of Plant Physiology, greatly increasing our understanding of living processes, necessary for biotechnological research. Different volumes of the treatise ``Advances in Plant Physiology'' covers the entire spectrum of Plant Physiology including the Plant Molecular Biology in order to encourage meaningful research in the coming twenty-first century. The true endeavor in this direction is the result of comprehensive, authoritative and timely publication of this valuable treatise, provides the reader with the most recent information, views and references focused on individual topics through a rich collection of reviews contributed by pioneer workers and of those actively engaged in the studies of various specific areas in different parts of the world with extensive experience, established record of eminence and noted authorities. In fact, this treatise is a treasure for interdisciplinary exchange of information and the approach to topic ranges from theoretical to applied molecular to organismic and single to multivariable systems. Apart from fulfilling the need of this treatise for research teams and scientists actively working in the areas of plant physiology biochemistry and plant molecular biology in universities institutes and research laboratories throughout the world, it would be extremely a useful book and a voluminous reference material for acquiring advanced knowledge by students in response to innovative courses in Plant Physiology, Plant Biochemistry, Agronomy, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Genetic Engineering, Microbiology, Plant Biotechnology and Botany. Over eighteen (18) chapters of Vol. 1 extensively elucidate the needful topics of Biological Nitrogen Fixation, Plant Cell and Tissue Culture, Plant Metabolism , certain rare Techniques in Plant Physiology, Herbicides Physiology, Plant Growth Regulators, Physiology of Rooting, Tree Physiology, Stress Physiology (in part) and Growth and Development Hopefully, Vol. II will comprise other important topics.

In view of changes in the global environment, it is important to determine and developing technologies to ameliorate metabolic limitations by biological processes most sensitive to abiotic stress factors warning crop productivity. It is reaffirmed that publishing the important Treatise Series has been undertaken with a view to identify the inadequacies under varied environments and to scientifically extend precise and meaningful research so that the significant outcomes including new technologies are judiciously applied for requisite productivity, profitability and sustainability of agriculture. Besides this, meticulous research in some of the very sensible and stirring areas of Plant Physiology-Plant Molecular Physiology are indispensably needed for holistic development of agriculture and crop production in different agro-climatic zones. Ardently, this is also to focus upon excellent new ideas ensuring the best science done across the full extent of modern plant biology, in general, and plant physiology, in particular. In Volume 14, with inventive applied research, attempts have been made to bring together much needed eighteen remarkable review articles distributed in three appropriate major sections of Nutriophysiology and Crop Productivity, Plant Responses to Changing Environment and Environmental Stresses and Technological Innovations in Agriculture written by thirty four praiseworthy contributors of eminence in unequivocal fields mainly from premier institutions of India and abroad. In reality, the Volume 14 of the Treatise Series is wealth for interdisciplinary exchange of information particularly in the field of nutriophysiology and abiotic stresses for planning meaningful research and related education programmes in these thrust areas. Apart from fulfilling the heightened need of this kind of select edition in different volumes for research teams and scientists engaged in various facets of research in Plant Physiology/Plant Sciences in traditional and agricultural universities, institutes and research laboratories throughout the world, it would be tremendously a productive reference book for acquiring advanced knowledge by post-graduate and Ph.D. scholars in response to the innovative courses in Plant Physiology, Plant Biochemistry, Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Biotechnology, Environ-mental Sciences, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Agronomy, Horticulture, and Botany.

The publication of Volume 7 of the International Treatise Series on Advances in Plant Physiology has been feasible - exclusively and unquestionably due to commendable contributions from World Scientists of distinction in explicit fields. within eight years, the treatise series has been instituted in the spirits and compassion of illustrious readers all through the world. The proficient International and National Co-ordinators have all along unified their views for the expediency of readers assisting them to speed up important research work in the field of Plant and Crop Physiology, Biochemistry & Plant Molecular Biology. in spite of handiness of quick accessibility of vast literature from internet, this treatise series in the field of life sciences has been realized over and above to be like a true guide, friend and philosopher, everlastingly enlightening the most hidden perceptible nerves of an individual worker, which is beyond the competence of mere web services. The volume 8 is absolutely another one of its kinds for incorporation of most timely and important worthy reviews of diverse objectives contributed by forty four well-informed, admirable and documented scientists/ stalwarts, of which twenty three participated from abroad. The original writing coming in bounteous journals of international repute covering new technologies and tools in plant science research have been pulled together in affirmative, prolific and supportive manner by specialists all over the globe. In this volume efforts have been made to fetch together twenty one indispensable review articles, duly evaluated by the respective Consulting Editors of international stature from India, U.K., U.S.A., Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Portugal, Israel, and Morocco and rationally distributed in eight sections. Indeed, the treatise is wealth for interdisciplinary exchange of information. Apart from fulfilling need of this kind of exclusive edition in different volumes for research teams in Molecular Plant Physiology and Biochemistry in traditional and agricultural universities, institutes and research laboratories throughout the world, it would be extremely a constructive book and a voluminous reference material for acquiring advanced knowledge by post-graduate and Ph.D. scholars in response to the innovative courses in Plant Physiology, Plant Biochemistry, Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Agronomy, Horticulture, and Botany.

Researches have made tremendous progress in the area of Plant Physiology, greatly increasing our understanding of living processes, necessary for biotechnological research. Different volumes of the treatise ``Advances in Plant Physiology'' covers the entire spectrum of Plant Physiology including the Plant Molecular Biology in order to encourage meaningful research in the coming twenty-first century. The true endeavor in this direction is the result of comprehensive, authoritative and timely publication of this valuable treatise, provides the reader with the most recent information, views and references focused on individual topics through a rich collection of reviews contributed by pioneer workers and of those actively engaged in the studies of various specific areas in different parts of the world with extensive experience, established record of eminence and noted authorities. In fact, this treatise is a treasure for interdisciplinary exchange of information and the approach to topic ranges from theoretical to applied molecular to organismic and single to multivariable systems. Apart from fulfilling the need of this treatise for research teams and scientists actively working in the areas of plant physiology biochemistry and plant molecular biology in universities institutes and research laboratories throughout the world, it would be extremely a useful book and a voluminous reference material for acquiring advanced knowledge by students in response to innovative courses in Plant Physiology, Plant Biochemistry, Agronomy, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Genetic Engineering, Microbiology, Plant Biotechnology and Botany. Over eighteen (18) chapters of Vol. 1 extensively elucidate the needful topics of Biological Nitrogen Fixation, Plant Cell and Tissue Culture, Plant Metabolism , certain rare Techniques in Plant Physiology, Herbicides Physiology, Plant Growth Regulators, Physiology of Rooting, Tree Physiology, Stress Physiology (in part) and Growth and Development Hopefully, Vol. II will comprise other important topics.