Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) and late-maturity alpha-amylase (LMA) are two of the biggest grain quality defects that grain growers encounter. About 50 percent of the global wheat crop is affected by pre-harvest sprouting to various degrees. Pre-harvest sprouting is a genetically-based quality defect and results in the presence of alpha-amylase in otherwise sound mature grain. It can range from perhaps undetectable to severe damage on grain and is measured by the falling numbers or alpha-amylase activity. This is an international issue, with sprouting damage lowering the value of crops to growers, seed and grain merchants, millers, maltsters, bakers, other processors, and ultimately the consumer. As such it has attracted attention from researchers in many biological and non-biological disciplines. The 13th International Symposium on Pre-Harvest Sprouting in Cereals was held 18-20 September, 2016 in Perth to discuss current findings of grain physiology, genetic pathways, trait expression and screening methods related to pre-harvest sprouting and LMA. This event followed the previous symposium in 2012 in Canada.

This is the first scholarly reference work to cover all the major scientific themes and facets of the subject of seeds. It outlines the latest fundamental biological knowledge about seeds, together with the principles of agricultural seed processing, storage and sowing, the food and industrial uses of seeds, and the roles of seeds in history, economies and cultures. With contributions from 110 expert authors worldwide, the editors have created 560 authoritative articles, illustrated with plentiful tables, figures, black-and-white and color photographs, suggested further reading matter and 670 supplementary definitions. The contents are alphabetically arranged and cross-referenced to connect related entries.

An ideal reference for food chemists, physiologists, geneticists, and grain science researchers.

The formation, dispersal and germination of seeds are crucial stages in the life cycles of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants. The unique properties of seeds, particularly their tolerance to desiccation, their mobility, and their ability to schedule their germination to coincide with times when environmental conditions are favorable to their survival as seedlings, have no doubt contributed significantly to the success of seed-bearing plants. Humans are also dependent upon seeds, which constitute the majority of the world’s staple foods (e.g., cereals and legumes). Seeds are an excellent system for studying fundamental developmental processes in plant biology, as they develop from a single fertilized zygote into an embryo and endosperm, in association with the surrounding maternal tissues. As genetic and molecular approaches have become increasingly powerful tools for biological research, seeds have become an attractive system in which to study a wide array of metabolic processes and regulatory systems. Seed Development, Dormancy and Germination provides a comprehensive overview of seed biology from the point of view of the developmental and regulatory processes that are involved in the transition from a developing seed through dormancy and into germination and seedling growth. It examines the complexity of the environmental, physiological, molecular and genetic interactions that occur through the life cycle of seeds, along with the concepts and approaches used to analyze seed dormancy and germination behavior. It also identifies the current challenges and remaining questions for future research. The book is directed at plant developmental biologists, geneticists, plant breeders, seed biologists and graduate students.

This updated and much revised third edition of Seeds: Physiology of Development, Germination and Dormancy provides a thorough overview of seed biology and incorporates much of the progress that has been made during the past fifteen years. With an emphasis on placing information in the context of the seed, this new edition includes recent advances in the areas of molecular biology of development and germination, as well as fresh insights into dormancy, ecophysiology, desiccation tolerance, and longevity. Authored by preeminent authorities in the field, this book is an invaluable resource for researchers, teachers, and students interested in the diverse aspects of seed biology.

Sprouted Grains: Nutritional Value, Production and Applications is a complete and comprehensive overview of sprouted grains, with coverage from grain to product. Sections includes discussions on the process of grain germination from both a genetic and physiological perspective, the nutrients and bioactive compounds present in spouted grains, and the equipment and technical innovation of use to manufacturers of sprouted grains and sprouted grain products. This book is essential reading for cereal science academics and postgraduate students interested in the subject of cereal processing, but is also ideal for industrial product developers in cereal companies. This edited volume brings together the world's leading researchers on sprouted grains. - Presents the nutrient and bioactive components of these healthy grains - Provides extensive coverage of products developed from sprouted grains - Includes contributions from an International team of both academic and industrial authors - Covers the equipment and technology used in grain processing

A major constraint on the production of high-quality grain around the world, pre-harvest sprouting in cereal crops causes substantial economic losses to producers and disrupts the processing, distribution, marketing, and storage of grain products. The solution to this problem must include a better understanding of the phenomenon, the development of

The latest findings in seed physiologydiscussed as they relate to agricultural problems! Presenting the latest findings in the area of seed physiology as well as the practical applications of that knowledge in the field, the Handbook of Seed Physiology: Applications to Agriculture provides a comprehensive view of seed biology and it

Under ongoing climate changes, natural and cultivated habitats of major crops are being continuously disturbed. Such conditions impose and exacerbate abiotic and biotic stressors. Drought, salinity, flood, cold, heat, heavy metals, metalloids, oxidants, irradiation, etc. are important abiotic stressors, while diseases and infections caused by plant pathogens, such as fungal agents, bacteria and viruses, are major biotic stresses. In many instances, stresses have become the major limiting factor for agricultural productivity and exert detrimental role on growth and yield of the crops. To help feed an ever increasing world population and to ensure global food security, concerted efforts from scientists and researchers have identified strategies to manage and mitigate the impacts of climate-induced stresses. This book, summarizing their findings, is aimed at crop improvement beyond such kind of barriers, by agronomic practices (genetics, breeding, phenotyping, etc.) and biotechnological applications, including molecular markers, QTL mapping, genetic engineering, transgenesis, tissue culture, various 'omics' technologies and gene editing. It will cover a wide range of topics under environmental challenges, agronomy and agriculture processes, and biotechnological approaches. Additionally, fundamental mechanisms and applied information on stress responses and tolerance will be discussed. This book highlights problems and offers proper solutions for crop stress management with recent information and up-to-date citations. We believe this book is suitable for scientists, researchers and students working in the fields of agriculture, plant science, environmental biology and biotechnology.