Plant embryology, dealing with the regularities of initiation and the first stages of development of an organism, is now flourishing because of the overall progress being made in natural sciences. Such discoveries of the 20th century as production of plants from a single somatic cell, experimental haploidy, and parasexual hybridization were of general biological significance. The combined efforts of embryologists, geneticists and molecular biologists yielded the discovery of specific genes that control meiosis, egg cell development and early stages of embryogenesis. The tendency to synthesize data of embryology and genetics has become increasingly noticeable. It is connected with the fact that the majority of problems connected with morphogenesis, such as differentiation, specialization, the evaluation of features and the definition of the notionsgene and feature andgenotype and phenotype concern embryology and genetics (embryogenetics) in one way or another. Evolutionary embryology has given rise to a new approach to the study of problems of adaptation in plants. In connection with the problem of preserving biological diversity under conditions of ecological stress, special attention is paid to ecological embryology, revealing the critical periods in early ontogenesis and plasticity and tolerance of reproductive systems at the level of species and population. The study of variability of morphogenesis and phenotype in population (life cycle variations and the diversity of reproductive systems) is the most important point in the population embryology of plants.

Plant embryology, dealing with the regularities of initiation and the first stages of development of an organism, is now flourishing because of the overall progress being made in natural sciences. Such discoveries of the 20th century as production of plants from a single somatic cell, experimental haploidy, and parasexual hybridization were of general biological significance. The combined efforts of embryologists, geneticists and molecular biologists yielded the discovery of specific genes that control meiosis, egg cell development and early stages of embryogenesis. The tendency to synthesize data of embryology and genetics has become increasingly noticeable. It is connected with the fact that the majority of problems connected with morphogenesis, such as differentiation, specialization, the evaluation of features and the definition of the notionsgene and feature andgenotype and phenotype concern embryology and genetics (embryogenetics) in one way or another. Evolutionary embryology has given rise to a new approach to the study of problems of adaptation in plants. In connection with the problem of preserving biological diversity under conditions of ecological stress, special attention is paid to ecological embryology, revealing the critical periods in early ontogenesis and plasticity and tolerance of reproductive systems at the level of species and population. The study of variability of morphogenesis and phenotype in population (life cycle variations and the diversity of reproductive systems) is the most important point in the population embryology of plants.

The book is divided into three parts: Flower, Anther, and Ovule. The principal aim of this volume (along with the other 3 volumes in the series) is to summarize the classical and current concepts about flower generative organs, their structure and development, and about seed formation processes. The book contains ample material that can be employed

This volume covers up-to-date notions of seed structure, processes resulting to its formation (syngamy, triple fusion etc.), as well as of postseminal development (seed dormancy and germination). Great attention has been paid to the morphological and functional aspects of fertilization process and embryo- and endospermogenesis.

Armen Takhtajan is among the greatest authorities in the world on the evolution of plants. This book culminates almost sixty years of the scientist's research of the origin and classification of the flowering plants. It presents a continuation of Dr. Takhtajan’s earlier publications including “Systema Magnoliophytorum” (1987), (in Russian), and “Diversity and Classification of Flowering Plants” (1997), (in English). In his latest book, the author presents a concise and significantly revised system of plant classification (‘Takhtajan system’) based on the most recent studies in plant morphology, embryology, phytochemistry, cytology, molecular biology and palynology. Flowering plants are divided into two classes: class Magnoliopsida (or Dicotyledons) includes 8 subclasses, 126 orders, c. 440 families, almost 10,500 genera, and no less than 195,000 species; and class Liliopsida (or Monocotyledons) includes 4 subclasses, 31 orders, 120 families, more than 3,000 genera, and about 65,000 species.This book contains a detailed description of plant orders, and descriptive keys to plant families providing characteristic features of the families and their differences.

Apomixis is a difficult-to-analyse trait with a complex molecular basis and a substantive effect on the biology of a species. Thus, apomixis is an interesting characteristic for researchers and students working in different fields of plant science and agriculture, and technological advances are enabling and making apomixis studies more common. Apomixis in Angiosperms: Mechanisms, Occurrences, and Biotechnology provides a systematic introduction to the mechanisms and developmental types of apomixis along with an overview of alternative methodologies for identifying apomixis and a detailed reassessment of the occurrences of apomictic species among angiosperm families. Optional methods are illustrated with examples of all types of apomixis and biological levels of analysis, i.e. cells, ovules, seeds and offspring. Data on apomictic species are collected in tables along with information on ploidy, type of apomixis and references. Occurrences of apomixis are briefly discussed in phylogenetic and evolutionary contexts. An outline of the molecular basis of apomixis in plants is presented, together with prospects and challenges that remain for its biotechnological exploitation. This book: Provides a systematic overview of the mechanisms of apomixis, developmental types and methodology for apomixis research. Reassesses apomixis at the species level in angiosperm families. Contains tables summarizing relevant information on apomixis. Analyses occurrences of apomixis in phylogenetic and evolutionary contexts. Outlines the molecular basis and biotechnological perspective of apomixis breeding. This book presents an accessible overview of apomixis research and a curated dataset of apomictic species. It serves as a reference book for students, researchers and citizen scientists interested in apomixis, as well as researchers, business innovators and entrepreneurs pursuing apomixis breeding. It can also be used as a textbook in graduate courses on plant reproduction.

This book is designed to introduce the basics of different aspects of the biology of reproduction in a concise and coherent manner. The book aims to equip students with the fundamentals of the biology of reproduction and also update them with the most recent advances in the field of reproduction. The book has been organized into 16 chapters that introduce and explain different aspects in a stimulating manner. Each chapter is supplemented with a summary and relevant illustrations. A glossary has been added to help the students to understand some important scientific terms. The book offers comprehensive coverage of the important topics including: Flower structure and development Development and structure of male and female gametophytes Pollination biology, fertilization and self-incompatibility Endosperm, embryo and polyembryony Apomixis and seed biology A separate topic on experimental plant reproductive biology (experimental embryology) has been provided, which includes basics of cell, tissue and organ culture, anther culture, pollen culture, flower, ovary, ovule culture, embryo culture, somatic embryogenesis, synthetic seeds, protoplast culture and other aspects of plant biotechnology. The book aims to cater to the needs of the advanced undergraduate and post-graduate students in Botany, Forestry, Agriculture and related fields.