Pre-harvest sprouting of cereals results in large economic losses each year for producers around the world. This volume, an outgrowth of the 1982 symposium held in Winnipeg, Canada, presents scientific research conducted internationally since 1978 and geared toward solving the problem of pre-harvest sprouting. Its multidisciplinary approach incorporates the perspectives of plant breeders, physiologists, and biochemists to provide a rounded discussion of the possible alternatives.

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

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.

th We compiled this volume mostly from presentations at the 6 International Plant Cold Hardiness Seminar (PCHS) after consulting with Professor Tony H. H. Chen, Oregon State University, USA, Professor Pekka Heino, University of Helsinki, Finland, th and Dr. Gareth J. Warren, University of London, Surrey, UK. The 6 International PCHS was held at the Unitas Congress Center, Helsinki, Finland from July 1-5, 2001. There were 110 registered scientists at the serttinar representing 20 countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Gennany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and United States of America. The infonnation compiled represents the state of the art of research in phmt cold hardiness in tenns of gene regulation, gene expression, signal transduction, the physiology of cold hardiness and, ultimately, the genetic engineering for cold tolerant plants. The International PCHS was initiated in 1977 at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota. It has been traditionally held at 5-year intervals at various locations. th Because of the rapid advances of research in plant cold hardiness, attendees at the 6 meeting unanimously adopted a resolution to hold the seminar in 3-year intervals instead of 5 in the future. Consequently, the next seminar will be held in 2004 in Sapporo, Japan, and Professor Seizo Fujikawa from Hokkaido University will serve as the host.

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

This book summarizes the research done on preharvest sprouting during recent years. Naturally, whenever needed, earlier findings are also considered. Both publishers and the authors hope that his publication will provide researchers and students with a convenient source of up-to-date information in this expanding field.

Owing to its considerable winter hardiness, rye is a cereal that played a major role in the feeding of European populations throughout the Middle Ages. Recent data shows that rye is grown on about 5.4 million hectares, with a world production of approximately 13 million tons. While still an important bread food in many countries, rye produced for bread making has decreased or stagnated, whereas production is increasing for other market segments. Particularly, rye for feeding, ethanol processing, and biogas is promoted in Europe. The first comprehensive monograph on rye, Rye: Genetics, Breeding, and Cultivation gathers all the relevant and historic information from botany and genetics to utilization and sustainability of rye. The book covers taxonomy, morphology, and other botany-related aspects of rye. It describes its physiology, cytology, and genetics, including use for genetic improvement of other cereals. The author addresses various types of breeding such as population, hybrid, and molecular breeding. He also discusses rye cropping, including seeding techniques, fungal and viral diseases, and predators. The book examines the various uses for rye beyond bread making. This includes feeding, biomass and biogas production, ethanol production, and other important characteristics such as phytosterol content and antioxidant activity. It also explores the nutritional value of rye. Written by a leading expert in the field, this monograph compiles the most important facets of rye research, past and present.