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Water stress on plants
Physiologiml Plant Pathology (1982) 21,267-270
Book reviews Water
Stress on Plants.
By G. M. SIMPSON. Praeger, New York. 1981. $38.50.
An uninformative title hides a book of unusual structure. Chapters, even parts of chapters, are contributed by four different authors with different styles and at different levels. Thus, the book has some of the flavour of a multi-author text but, while it gains from having experts writing on their own subject-A. Karamanos on cellular aspects of water relations, R. C. Durley on growth substances-the individual parts lack co-ordination. The book tends to be repetitive, e.g. differences between drought avoidance and tolerance are twice discussed at length, and there is disappointingly little cross-referencing between chapters. What is the subject about which the title tells us so little? It turns out to be the causes of water stress, climatic, edaphic and physiological, its consequences in terms of reduced growth, and its prevention through plant breeding and improved agronomic practice. The emphasis is strictly on field crops. The general reader, to whom the book is particularly directed, will appreciate Chapter 1, global perspectives on drought (Simpson), which deals with the frequency and distribution of droughts, the origins of modern crop plants and traditional husbandry practices to avoid drought. It is full of interesting facts and figures gleaned from United Nations sources. The general reader will not enjoy the next three chapters which, to my mind, constitute the meat of the book. Karamanos’s the development of water stress (Chapter 2) gives a rigorous account at a biophysical level of the contribution of the aerial environment, the soil and the plant with its mechanisms to control the development of plant water deficits. The section dealing with meteorological factors determining evaporation rate is particularly good but the section on the plant itself is rather brief. Some subjects relevant to crop growth in the field, such as the relative importance of axial and radial resistances to water flow through the root, have been largely bypassed. A beginner in this area would probably do better to buy a cheap monograph, e.g. Water and Plants by Meidner and Sherriff, which develops the subject more completely but at a more leisurely pace. Chapters 3, responses and 4, case examples of research progress (wheat, sorghum and Vicia bean), have most to offer the specialist reader. There is some annoying overlap between chapters and between case examples, but generally the authors are at their best. An enormous amount of data from field and controlled environment experimentation is brought together in a form which is readily assimilated. Each author adopts a critical approach; what is the best way and best plant growth stage at which to measure stress ? How should stress be regulated artificially? Physiological studies are placed firmly in perspective, they are a source of information through which breeding and farming practice may be improved. The last two chapters (5 and 6, by Simpson) develop to challenge the direction and value of past and present research. It is argued, “examination of the genetic basis of the
268
Book reviews
responses within plants to water stress is not a high priority on the part of plant physiologists when they study basic physiological responses”, a claim supported by a table citing over 100 references to relevant papers published between 1973 and 1980. We are left with the hope that through the work of “coordinated teams of scientists” drought resistance characters may be identified and manipulated by breeders in the way that disease resistance characters are treated. Disease is mentioned only briefly, in the context that water stress may alter disease resistance (the possibility that disease may exacerbate stress is ignored). It is in Chapters 3 and 4 that the book can prove most useful to the physiologically inclined pathologist. It provides an excellent review of the current status of our knowledge of the mechanisms whereby plants avoid or tolerate water stress. There are over 500 full references, most to work in the last decade, while a further 200 abbreviated references in the tables of Chapter 5 list the most recent work in selected areas. The book will provide an invaluable guide to anyone starting work in this area and trying to decide the most appropriate ways to induce and measure water stress. In summary, urge your library to order the book, but wait until you have a water stress problem before you buy it for your own collection. P. G. AYRES
Primciples of Plan$ Pathology. By J. G. MANNERS.Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 264 pp. 1982. Price: L22.50 Hard covers or k8.95 paperback. This book has been designed to provide students with an introduction to the basic principles of modern plant pathology. It has six parts. The 6rst deals with the causes of plant disease without going into detailed descriptions of individual diseases. Part II, the lengthiest section, is concerned with the host-parasite relationship, notably the entry and spread of pathogens in host plants, resistance mechanisms and the result of the infection on host metabolic processes. Throughout comparisons are drawn between biotrophs and necrotrophs. Part III provides an excellent introduction to the ways that hosts and pathogens interact genetically. Part IV relates to epidemiology and deals with both the factors influencing epidemics and quantitative aspects of epidemic development. Here the author makes no apology for the basic mathematics involved, quite correctly stressing that this is necessary for a proper understanding of the subject. The final part of the book is concerned with disease control both by chemical and non-chemical methods. The book, undoubtedly, realizes its objectives. It is very readable and will prove most informative to the undergraduate. One of its most significant virtues is the extensive bibliography and all aspects discussed are provided with references to enable one to follow up a particular topic. The book is remarkably free from author or printer errors. My only reservation is its price which may make students hesitate to buy it. J.M. MJLTON
Book reviews Water
Stress on Plants.
By G. M. SIMPSON. Praeger, New York. 1981. $38.50.
An uninformative title hides a book of unusual structure. Chapters, even parts of chapters, are contributed by four different authors with different styles and at different levels. Thus, the book has some of the flavour of a multi-author text but, while it gains from having experts writing on their own subject-A. Karamanos on cellular aspects of water relations, R. C. Durley on growth substances-the individual parts lack co-ordination. The book tends to be repetitive, e.g. differences between drought avoidance and tolerance are twice discussed at length, and there is disappointingly little cross-referencing between chapters. What is the subject about which the title tells us so little? It turns out to be the causes of water stress, climatic, edaphic and physiological, its consequences in terms of reduced growth, and its prevention through plant breeding and improved agronomic practice. The emphasis is strictly on field crops. The general reader, to whom the book is particularly directed, will appreciate Chapter 1, global perspectives on drought (Simpson), which deals with the frequency and distribution of droughts, the origins of modern crop plants and traditional husbandry practices to avoid drought. It is full of interesting facts and figures gleaned from United Nations sources. The general reader will not enjoy the next three chapters which, to my mind, constitute the meat of the book. Karamanos’s the development of water stress (Chapter 2) gives a rigorous account at a biophysical level of the contribution of the aerial environment, the soil and the plant with its mechanisms to control the development of plant water deficits. The section dealing with meteorological factors determining evaporation rate is particularly good but the section on the plant itself is rather brief. Some subjects relevant to crop growth in the field, such as the relative importance of axial and radial resistances to water flow through the root, have been largely bypassed. A beginner in this area would probably do better to buy a cheap monograph, e.g. Water and Plants by Meidner and Sherriff, which develops the subject more completely but at a more leisurely pace. Chapters 3, responses and 4, case examples of research progress (wheat, sorghum and Vicia bean), have most to offer the specialist reader. There is some annoying overlap between chapters and between case examples, but generally the authors are at their best. An enormous amount of data from field and controlled environment experimentation is brought together in a form which is readily assimilated. Each author adopts a critical approach; what is the best way and best plant growth stage at which to measure stress ? How should stress be regulated artificially? Physiological studies are placed firmly in perspective, they are a source of information through which breeding and farming practice may be improved. The last two chapters (5 and 6, by Simpson) develop to challenge the direction and value of past and present research. It is argued, “examination of the genetic basis of the
268
Book reviews
responses within plants to water stress is not a high priority on the part of plant physiologists when they study basic physiological responses”, a claim supported by a table citing over 100 references to relevant papers published between 1973 and 1980. We are left with the hope that through the work of “coordinated teams of scientists” drought resistance characters may be identified and manipulated by breeders in the way that disease resistance characters are treated. Disease is mentioned only briefly, in the context that water stress may alter disease resistance (the possibility that disease may exacerbate stress is ignored). It is in Chapters 3 and 4 that the book can prove most useful to the physiologically inclined pathologist. It provides an excellent review of the current status of our knowledge of the mechanisms whereby plants avoid or tolerate water stress. There are over 500 full references, most to work in the last decade, while a further 200 abbreviated references in the tables of Chapter 5 list the most recent work in selected areas. The book will provide an invaluable guide to anyone starting work in this area and trying to decide the most appropriate ways to induce and measure water stress. In summary, urge your library to order the book, but wait until you have a water stress problem before you buy it for your own collection. P. G. AYRES
Primciples of Plan$ Pathology. By J. G. MANNERS.Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 264 pp. 1982. Price: L22.50 Hard covers or k8.95 paperback. This book has been designed to provide students with an introduction to the basic principles of modern plant pathology. It has six parts. The 6rst deals with the causes of plant disease without going into detailed descriptions of individual diseases. Part II, the lengthiest section, is concerned with the host-parasite relationship, notably the entry and spread of pathogens in host plants, resistance mechanisms and the result of the infection on host metabolic processes. Throughout comparisons are drawn between biotrophs and necrotrophs. Part III provides an excellent introduction to the ways that hosts and pathogens interact genetically. Part IV relates to epidemiology and deals with both the factors influencing epidemics and quantitative aspects of epidemic development. Here the author makes no apology for the basic mathematics involved, quite correctly stressing that this is necessary for a proper understanding of the subject. The final part of the book is concerned with disease control both by chemical and non-chemical methods. The book, undoubtedly, realizes its objectives. It is very readable and will prove most informative to the undergraduate. One of its most significant virtues is the extensive bibliography and all aspects discussed are provided with references to enable one to follow up a particular topic. The book is remarkably free from author or printer errors. My only reservation is its price which may make students hesitate to buy it. J.M. MJLTON