Plant reproductive biology has undergone a revolution during the past
five years, with the cloning, sequencing and localization of the genes
important in reproduction. These advantages in plant molecular biology
have led to exciting applications in plant biotechnology, including the
genetic engineering of male sterility and other reproductive processes.
This book presents an interesting and contemporary account of these new
developments from the scientists in whose laboratories they have been
made. The chapters focus on two areas: the molecular biology of
self-incompatibility, which is the system of self-recognition controlled
by the S-gene and related genes; and the cellular and molecular biology
of pollen development and genetic dissection of male sterility. Some
chapters feature Arabidopsis, with its unique genetic system.
Reproduction is vital for seed production in crop plants, and this book
presents new approaches to manipulate plant breeding systems for the
21st century.