It is over 20 years since the publication of A.c. Hulme's two volume text on The Biochemistry of Fruits and thei.r Products. Whilst the bulk of the information contained in that text is still relevant it is true to say that our understanding of the biochemical and genetic mech

A comprehensive and mechanistic perspective on fruit ripening, emphasizing commonalities and differences between fruit groups and ripening processes. Fruits are an essential part of the human diet and contain important phytochemicals that provide protection against heart disease and cancers. Fruit ripening is of importance for human health and for industry-based strategies to harness natural variation, or genetic modification, for crop improvement. This book covers recent advances in the field of plant genomics and how these discoveries can be exploited to understand evolutionary processes and the complex network of hormonal and genetic control of ripening. The book explains the physiochemical and molecular changes in fruit that impact its quality, and recent developments in understanding of the genetic, molecular and biochemical basis for colour, flavour and texture. It is a valuable resource for plant and crop researchers and professionals, agricultural engineers, horticulturists, and food scientists. Summary: Reviews the physiochemical and molecular changes in fruit which impact flavour, texture, and colour Covers recent advances in genomics on the genetic, molecular, and biochemical basis of fruit quality Integrates information on both hormonal and genetic control of ripening Relevant for basic researchers and applied scientists

This book describes the strategy used for sequencing, assembling and annotating the tomato genome and presents the main characteristics of this sequence with a special focus on repeated sequences and the ancestral polyploidy events. It also includes the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a major crop plant as well as a model for fruit development, and the availability of the genome sequence has completely changed the paradigm of the species’ genetics and genomics. The book describes the numerous genetic and genomic resources available, the identified genes and quantitative trait locus (QTL) identified, as well as the strong synteny across Solanaceae species. Lastly, it discusses the consequences of the availability of a high-quality genome sequence of the cultivated species for the research community. It is a valuable resource for students and researchers interested in the genetics and genomics of tomato and Solanaceae.

The fruit is an important plant structure. Not only does it provide a suitable environment for seeds to develop and serve as a vehicle for seed disposal, but it is also an indispensable part of the human diet. Despite its agronomic and nutritional value and centuries of intensive genetic selection, little is known about the molecular mechanism of its development or the evolution of its diverse forms. The last few years have witnessed a surge of investigations on the early stages of fruit development propelled by the advancement of high throughput sequencing technology, genome sequencing of fruit bearing species, and detailed molecular insights based on studies of model organisms. This research topic is focused on early stage fruit development that ranges from pre-fertilization patterning of the female ovary through post-fertilization fruit initiation and growth. Provided by the renowned experts in the field, these papers are intended to highlight recent progress and shed light on different aspects of fruit development from structure, function, to molecular genetics, and evolution.

Fruit ripening is an important aspect of fruit production. The timing of it affects supply chains and buying behaviour, and for consumers ripeness not only affects perceptions of health but has nutritional effects too. Ripeness is closely related to spoilage which has a major financial impact on agricultural industries. Currently there are fast moving developments in knowledge of the factors affecting fruit ripeness, and this up-to-date monograph seeks to draw together the disparate research in this area. The aim of the book is to produce a comprehensive account covering almost every area related to fruit ripening including the latest molecular mechanisms regulating fruit ripening, its impact on human nutrition and emerging research and technologies.

The global demand for high quality fruits that are rich in nutrients and that can endure the demands of worldwide supply chains is growing rapidly. Fruits are an important component of the human diet, providing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. All of these qualities contribute to the nutritional needs and health maintenance of humans. Breeding for Fruit Quality reviews the application of modern plant breeding methods to the development of improved varieties of fruits. Breeding for Fruit Quality opens with chapters that look at fruit biology and breeding strategies behind specific traits, including a look at traits such as organoleptic quality, nutritional value, and improved yield, among others. Subsequent chapters review breeding efforts to improve overall quality in a wide range of specific fruits. Providing broad ranging coverage of cutting edge methods now being applied to the development of fruit crops, Breeding for Fruit Quality will be a valuable resource for fruit biologists, breeders, geneticists, and industry personnel. Key Features: Broad coverage of modern breeding technologies being implemented to improve overall fruit quality Trait specific chapters explore efforts to promote traits of industrial and nutritional importance Chapters in fruits, ranging from apple and grapes to tomatoes and olives, provide detailed coverage of breeding practices for economically important fruit crops

This volume aims to provide a timely view of the state-of-the-art in systems biology. The editors take the opportunity to define systems biology as they and the contributing authors see it, and this will lay the groundwork for future studies. The volume is well-suited to both students and researchers interested in the methods of systems biology. Although the focus is on plant systems biology, the proposed material could be suitably applied to any organism.

Agavaceae; Sisal; Amaranthaceae; Amaranths; Anacardiaceae; Mango; Ceiba; Kapok; Bromeliaceae; Camelliacear; Caracaceae; Chenopodiacear; Compositae; Convoluvaceae; Cruciferae; Cucurbitaceae; Dioscoreaceae; Gramineae; Grossulariaceae; Lauraceae; Leguminosae; Liliaceae; Linaceae; Malcaceae; Moraceae; Musaceae; Myrataceae; Oleaceae; palmae; Pedaliaceae. Piperaceae; Polygonaceae; Rosaceae; Rubiaceae; Rutaceae; Solanaceae. Sterculiaceae; Tiliaceae; Umbelliferae; Vitaceae.

An increased understanding of the developmental physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology during early growth, maturation, ripening, and postharvest conditions has improved technologies to maintain the shelf life and quality of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Postharvest Biology and Technology of Fruits, Vegetables, and Flowers provides a comprehensive introduction to this subject, offering a firm grounding in the basic science and branching out into the technology and practical applications. An authoritative resource on the science and technology of the postharvest sector, this book surveys the body of knowledge with an emphasis on the recent advances in the field.