In a convenient, single-source reference, this book examines plant growth substances and their relationship to a wide range of physiological processes, ranging from seed germination through the death of the plant. If offers a clear illustration of the pragmatic uses of plant substances in agriculture and demonstrates how basic laboratory research has translated into increased production and profit for the grower. This work begins by building a solid foundation in the subject, which contains historical aspects and fundamental concepts, and provides a methodology for extraction, purification, and quantification of plant growth substances. This forms the basis for understanding the ensuing chapters that explore the many processes involving plant growth substances, including: * seed germination * seedling growth * rooting * dormancy * juvenility * maturity * senescence * flowering * abscission * fruit set * fruit growth * fruit development * premature drop * ripening * promotion of fruit drop * tuberization * photsynthesis * weed control. Providing a detailed examination of plant growth substances and their relationships to specific physiological plant processes, Plant Growth Substances gives students, researchers, and professionals a much needed reference.

A chapter for the layman; Also for the layman: how to use the commercial growth-substances; The scope of this book; Introductory scientific work on effects of the synthetic growth-substances; Recent work with cuttings; The treatment of seeds; The use of synthetic substances in various horticultural and other operations grafting, rooting of grafted cuttings; What is a root?; Growth-substances from natural sources agricultural researches having a possible bearing on growth-substances in soil and manure; Some constituents of urine. Occurrence of growth-substances (other than the auxins and vitamins), and bodies related thereto, in urine; Chemistry in relation to growth some notions on concentrations; Classification and nomemclature of growth substances; Synthesis of growth-substances; Identification of growth-substances, and some substances related to them.

The 13th International Conference on Plant Growth Substances was held from the 17th to the 26th July, 1988 in Calgary, Alberta Canada under the auspices of the IPGSA (International Plant Growth Substances Association) and the University of Calgary. Over 550 participants from allover the world attended, along with 70 Associates and 25 University of Calgary graduate students who assisted in audiovisual presentations when not attending the scientific sessions. Fine weather prevailed, as was usual for summer on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, and participants arriving early visited the famous Calgary Stampede. A hosted buffet opened the Conference on Sunday evening. On Wednesday evening, following an afternoon field trip into the mountains of the Kananaskis Valley, the IPGSA traditional banquet became a western barbecue on Richards' Ghost River Ranch in the foothills of the Rockies, with folk and country and western music provided by the Great Western Orchestra. The fine Alberta weather continued through the weekend, and the Conference ended with a field trip to Sun shine Meadows, a World Heritage Site in Banff National Park.