Parasitic flowering plants are strikingly impressive and beautiful and hold many surprises of both general and scientific interest. Parasites also have great influence on the quality of human life when attacking crop plants. Some parasites have since early times appealed to our imagination and have been part of religious or folkloristic events and used as gifts to royalties. This beautifully illustrated book covers all parasitic families and most of the genera. It also discusses the establishment of the parasite, the structure and function of the nutrient absorption organ (haustorium), and how the parasites are pollinated and dispersed as well as their ecology, hosts, and evolution. The book is written in a mostly non-technical language and is provided with a glossary and explanatory boxes. For additional information about this book, including some sample photographs, as well as a list of corrections that have been incorporated in the 2011 reprint, please visit the author's web site. Parasitic Flowering Plants was nominated by The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries for the 2010 Annual Award for a Significant Work in Botanical or Horticular Literature, in the category ‘Technical Interest’. More information.

Parasitic flowering plants are of great general and scientific interest besides their economic importance when attacking crop plants. This beautifully illustrated book covers all parasitic families and most of the genera and discusses all main aspects of their biology.

Parasitic plants are of great economic importance and cause huge crop losses worldwide. They present unique biological aspects and control problems. This title provides full coverage relating to the biology, diversity and control of parasitic flowering plants and will be of great use to plant scientists, agricultural and environmental scientists.

The Study of Plants in a Whole New Light “Matt Candeias succeeds in evoking the wonder of plants with wit and wisdom.” ―James T. Costa, PhD, executive director, Highlands Biological Station and author of Darwin's Backyard #1 New Release in Nature & Ecology, Plants, Botany, Horticulture, Trees, Biological Sciences, and Nature Writing & Essays In his debut book, internationally-recognized blogger and podcaster Matt Candeias celebrates the nature of plants and the extraordinary world of plant organisms. A botanist’s defense. Since his early days of plant restoration, this amateur plant scientist has been enchanted with flora and the greater environmental ecology of the planet. Now, he looks at the study of plants through the lens of his ever-growing houseplant collection. Using gardening, houseplants, and examples of plants around you, In Defense of Plants changes your relationship with the world from the comfort of your windowsill. The ruthless, horny, and wonderful nature of plants. Understand how plants evolve and live on Earth with a never-before-seen look into their daily drama. Inside, Candeias explores the incredible ways plants live, fight, have sex, and conquer new territory. Whether a blossoming botanist or a professional plant scientist, In Defense of Plants is for anyone who sees plants as more than just static backdrops to more charismatic life forms. In this easily accessible introduction to the incredible world of plants, you’ll find: • Fantastic botanical histories and plant symbolism • Passionate stories of flora diversity and scientific names of plant organisms • Personal tales of plantsman discovery through the study of plants If you enjoyed books like The Botany of Desire, What a Plant Knows, or The Soul of an Octopus, then you’ll love In Defense of Plants.

This book was written in response to significant recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of parasitism in the Orobanchaceae, and breakthroughs in the control of the parasitic weeds Striga and Orobanche. It consists of 26 contributions by internationally recognized leading scientists. The main book chapters are grouped into two parts: · Part I – The Orobanchaceae and Their Parasitic Mechanisms · Part II – The Weedy Orobanchaceae and Their Control The first part provides cutting-edge information on all key aspects of plant parasitism, such as the structure, development and function of the haustorium; nutrient transfer and the physiology of the parasite-host association; host reaction to parasitic plants; seed production and germination; the strigolactones and host-parasite signaling mechanisms; the parasite genome, phylogenetics, evolution and epigenetics; and ecology. Topics of the second part include: the problem posed by the weedy parasites; population diversity and dynamics; molecular diagnosis of seed banks; and detailed discussion of the various management strategies, including agronomic, chemical and biotechnological approaches, as well as host breeding for resistance, allelopathy and biological control. This book is intended for plant scientists, university lecturers and students, agronomists and weed specialists, breeders and farmers, extension personnel and experts in tropical and subtropical agriculture.

In the present volume taxonomic treatments including descriptions of and keys to the families and genera for the orders Santalales and Balanophorales are offered, the former group here comprising 12 families with 162 genera and about 2100 species, and the latter with the single family Balanophoraceae composed of 16 genera and about 42 species. The contentious family classification of Santalales has been thoroughly revised against the background of previous classifications as well as available structural and molecular evidence, and also the classification of Balanophoraceae has been carefully updated. Santalales are predominantly hemiparasites connected with either the branches or the roots of other green land plants, whereas Balanophoraceae are holoparasites that form terrestrial tubers attached to the roots of woody hosts. In both orders, parasitism has led to considerable reductions of the vegetative and reproductive organs and detailed descriptions are given on the initiation of ramal and terrestrial parasitism in Santalales and the haustorial connection and tissue continuity between host and parasite in both groups. The dramatic reduction of the vegetative body in Balanophoraceae, which may lack all vegetative organs typically found in green land plants, has promoted studies in the field of developmental morphology. Thus, the volume not only provides an overview of the diversity of the plant groups treated therein, but also points to the interesting biological peculiarities that have evolved in connection with their singular lifestyle.

Evolution und Systematik.

Every year we see a remarkable increase in scientific knowledge. We are learning more each day about the world around us, about the numerous biological organisms of the biosphere, about the physical and chemical processes that shaped and continue to change our planet. The cataloging, retrieval, dissemination, and use of this new information along with the continued development of new computer technology provide some of the most challenging problems in science as we enter the Information Age. With the explosion of knowledge in science, it is especially important that students in introductory courses learn not only the basic material of a subject, but also about the newest developments in that subject. With this goal in mind, we have prepared a second edition of Introduction to Plant Diseases: Identification and Management. We prepared this edition with the same general purpose that we had for the first edition - to provide practical, up-to-date information that helps in the successful management of diseases on food, fiber, and landscape plants for students who do not have a strong background in the biological sciences. We included new information on (1) the precise identification of diseases and the pathogens that cause them, (2) the development of epidemics of plant diseases, (3) the application of biotechnology in plant pathology, (4) the use of alternative methods of crop production and disease management that help protect the environment, and (5) diseases that have become more important since the first edition was published.

The variety of the mycological world is far greater than most people imagine. Tens of thousands of fungal species have been described and many more are known only from the abundance of their genes in soil and water. Fungi are hugely important as agents of wood decay in forests, and, as parasites, they have caused the deaths of millions of people by ravaging crops and reshaping natural ecosystems. Fungi perform a variety of essential functions in ecosystems, and are important to both agriculture and biotechnology. Their importance is now becoming better appreciated among scientists, though there is much still to be understood concerning their taxonomy and evolution. This Very Short Introduction highlights the variety and extraordinary natures of fungi, revealing the remarkable facts of fungal biology and the global significance of these enchanting organisms. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.