Science and the garden [[electronic resource] ] : the scientific basis of horticultural practice / / edited by David S. Ingram, Daphne Vince-Prue, Peter J. Gregory

• Record Nr.: UNISA996213956303316
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: Oxford [England] ; ; Malden, MA, : Published for the Royal Horticultural Society by Blackwell Science, 2002
• ISBN: 1-281-31204-5; 9786611312046; 0-470-99534-3; 0-470-99533-5
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (312 p.)
• Altri autori (Persone): IngramDavid S; Vince-PrueDaphne; GregoryP. J
• Disciplina: 635.015
• Soggetti: Horticulture; Gardening - Science; Electronic books.
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: Description based upon print version of record.
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• Nota di contenuto: Science and the Garden : The Scientific Basis of Horticultural Practice; Contents; Foreword; Preface; List of Contributors; 1 Know your Plant; Green is beautiful: chlorophyll and photosynthesis; Into the labyrinth: the leaf; Reach for the sky: the stem; Mining for minerals and water: the root; Securing the future: reproduction; Further reading; 2 Naming your Plant; How to identify a plant; The meaning and structure of names; Taxonomy: order in diversity; Cultivated plant taxonomy; Why plants change their names; The quest for stability and linking information systems for the future; References and further reading3 Designing Plants; Adaptation and design; Genes; Genomes; Mutation; Hetero- and homozygosity; Breeding systems; Recombinant DNA technology; References and further reading; 4 Soils and Soil Fertility; Recognising key features of the soil; Properties of the materials constituting soil; Managing soils in ; the garden; Roots: activity and growth; Cultivating the soil and essentials for planting; Managing soil nutrients: manures, composts and fertilisers; Managing soil pH; Managing water; Further reading; 5 Choosing a Site; Water; Excess water; Aquatic plants; Soil pH; LightChoosing plants for particular conditions; Further reading; 6 Raising Plants from Seed; Seed structure; Germination; Dormancy; Special requirements for germination; Seed vigour; Seed storage; New developments in seed technology; Further reading; 7 Vegetative Propagation; Cell differentiation; Types of cutting and their management; Grafting and budding; Micro propagation; Further reading; 8 Shape and Colour; Colour; Variegation; Environmental factors influencing colour; Colour in the garden; Shape; Further reading; 9 Seasons and Weather; Day-length; Flowering; How is day-length detected by the leaf?Storage organs; Leaf fall and dormancy; Temperature; Damage by below-freezing temperatures; Water and light; Further reading; 10 Gardening in the Greenhouse; The greenhouse environment; Effects of the greenhouse environment; Managing the greenhouse environment; Supplementary artificial lighting; Day-length lighting; Further reading; 11 Controlling the Undesirables; Introduction; Deciding whether an organism is a pest; When to take control measures; How to control; Conclusion; Further reading; 12 Storage and Post-harvest; Introduction; Aspects of physiologyInfluences of the storage environment; Harvesting, handling and preparation for storage; Pre-harvest influences; Future developments; Conclusions; Further reading; Glossary; Index
• Sommario/riassunto: Most conventional gardening books concentrate on how and when to carry out horticultural tasks such as pruning, seed sowing and taking cuttings. This book is unique in explaining in straightforward terms some of the science that underlies these practices. It is principally a book of 'Why' - Why are plants green? Why should one cut beneath a leaf node when taking cuttings? Why do plants need so much water? But it also goes on to deal with the 'How', providing rationale behind the practical advice. The coverage is wide-ranging and comprehensive and includes the basic structure and functioning of