This proceedings volume contains a selection of invited and contributed papers of the 9th International Workshop on Sulfur Metabolism in Plants, which was hosted by Heinz Rennenberg, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg and was held at Schloss Reinach, Freiburg-Munzigen, Germany from April 14-17, 2014. The focus of this workshop was on molecular physiology and ecophysiology of sulfur in plants and the content of this volume presents an overview on the current research developments in this field.
This book presents the latest findings on how plants respond physiologically to sulfur in their environment. It combines an ecosystems approach with new insights at the molecular and biochemical level. Key areas are explored to assess the functions and implications of this essential plant nutrient in a range of natural, semi-natural and anthropogenic environments. The result is an important new reference on the relationships between plants and sulfur.
Abiotic stressors, such as drought, extreme temperatures, heavy metals, or high salinity, are causing huge crop losses worldwide. These abiotic stressors are expected to become more extreme, less predictable, and more widespread in the near future. The harm of abiotic stresses includes the disruption of cellular redox homeostasis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and oxidative stress in the plant. Plants have different mechanisms to fight stress, and these mechanisms are responsible for maintaining the required homeostasis in plants. Research on gasotransmitters is rapidly expanding and knowledge regarding the potential of gasotransmitters in biology and medicine is accumulating. Over the past few decades, the roles of these signaling molecules, especially NO and H2S, have been extensively studied for their application in plants. Recently, the emissions of endogenous gasotransmitters in plants have been widely studied and analyzed, thereby providing information to facilitate our understanding of new gasotransmitters signaling pathways. Given the multidimensional role of these signaling molecules, research over the past decades in mitigating abiotic stresses in plant biology and from an agriculture point of view, we intend to bring forth a comprehensive volume “Gasotransmitters Signaling in Plants under Challenging Environment". We are hopeful that this comprehensive volume will furnish the requisite of all those who are working or have an interest in the proposed topic
Hydrogen Sulfide in Plant Biology: Past and Present includes 17 chapters, with topics from cross-talk and lateral root development under stress, to post-translational modifications and disease resistance. With emerging research on the different roles and applications of H2S, this title compiles the latest advances of this key signaling molecule. The development of a plant requires complex signaling of various molecules like H2S in order to achieve regulated and proper development, hence hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has emerged as an important signaling molecule that regulates nearly each and every stage of a plant's lifecycle. Edited by leading experts in the field, this is a must-read for scientists and researchers interested in plant physiology, biochemistry and ecology. - Discusses the emerging roles of H2S in plant biology - Presents the latest research from leading laboratories across the globe - Edited by a team of experts in plant signaling
This book provides an overview of antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes and their role in the mechanisms of signaling and cellular tolerance under stress in plant systems. Major reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging/modulating enzymes include the superoxide dismutase (SOD) that dismutates O2 into H2O2, which is followed by the coordinated action of a set of enzymes including catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and peroxiredoxins (Prx) that remove H2O2. In addition to the ROS scavenging enzymes, a number of other enzymes are found in various subcellular compartments, which are involved in maintaining such redox homeostasis either by directly scavenging particular ROS and ROS-byproducts or by replenishing antioxidants. In that respect, these enzymes can be also considered antioxidants. Such enzymes include monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione reductase (GR), alternative oxidases (AOXs), peroxidases (PODs) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). Some non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), carotenes (provitamin A), tocopherols (vitamin E), and glutathione (GSH), work in concert with antioxidant enzymes to sustain an intracellular steady-state level of ROS that promotes plant growth, development, cell cycles and hormone signaling, and reinforces the responses to abiotic and biotic environmental stressors. Offering a unique compilation of information on antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes, this is a valuable resource for advanced students and researchers working on plant biochemistry, physiology, biotechnology, and signaling in cell organelles, and those specializing in plant enzyme technology.
This book provides a single platform for beginners in systems engineering to start Arduino interface projects with MATLAB®. It covers the basics of the programming with Arduino and Arduino interfacing with MATLAB® (with and without the use or I/O packages) in 3 sections, respectively. Key features: -introduces readers to Arduino IDE, Proteus simulation modeling, Arduino interfaces with display devices, sensor interfaces (both digital and analog), actuators, MATLAB® GUIs, digital read/write systems with I/O interfaces and automation systems. -organized layout for a reader friendly experience -provides detailed circuit diagrams -provides relevant simulation modeling instructions This is an ideal book for engineering students and system designers for learning the basic programming and simulation of Arduino and MATLAB® based real time project prototypes.
Besides increasing crop yield to feed the growing population, improving crop quality is a challenging and key issue. Indeed, quality determines consumer acceptability and increases the attractivity of fresh and processed products. In this respect, fruit and vegetables, which represent a main source of vitamins and other health compounds, play a major role in human diet. This is the case in developing countries where populations are prone to nutritional deficiencies, but this is also a pending issue worldwide, where the growing middle class is increasingly aware and in search of healthy food. So a future challenge for the global horticultural industry will be to answer the demand for better quality food in a changing environment, where many resources will be limited. This e-collection collates state-of-the-art research on the quality of horticultural crops, covering the underlying physiological processes, the genetic and environmental controls during plant and organ development and the postharvest evolution of quality during storage and processing.
The aim of this book is to give an overview of the most important aspects of physiological and biochemical basis for metal toxicity and tolerance in plants. The book is expected to serve as a reference to university and college teachers, students of plant sciences, environmental biology, environmental biotechnology, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, plant molecular biology, and genetics.
In a world of increasing atmospheric CO2, there is intensified interest in the ecophysiology of photosynthesis and increasing attention is being given to carbon exchange and storage in natural ecosystems. We need to know how much photosynthesis of terrestrial and aquatic vegetation will change as global CO2 increases. Are there major ecosystems, such as the boreal forests, which may become important sinks of CO2 and slow down the effects of anthropogenic CO2 emissions on climate? Will the composition of the vegetation change as a result of CO2 increase? This volume reviews the progress which has been made in understanding photosynthesis in the past few decades at several levels of integration from the molecular level to canopy, ecosystem and global scales.
This proceedings volume contains the invited and a selection of the contributed papers of the 8th International Workshop on Sulfur Metabolism in Higher Plants, which was held at Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science, University of Melbourne, Water Street, Creswick, Victoria 3363, Australia from November 22-27, 2010. Content of the volume shows that the understanding of sulfur metabolism in plants and the interaction of the environment are rapidly progressing. This volume covers various aspects of the regulation of sulfate uptake and assimilation in plants, from a cellular to a whole plant level, and additionally emphasizes interactions with other minerals. Moreover the significance of sulfur metabolism in biotic and abiotic stress responses, in food security and quality, and in relation to interactions with global change factors is discussed in detail.