The Handbook of Plant and Crop Physiology is needed to fill the gap in the available literature. In addition, it has long been recognized that physiological processes control plant growth and crop yields. Therefore, this handbook is prepared in a single volume to serve as a comprehensive resource and up-todate reference to effectively cover the information relevant to plant/crop physiology that is scattered among plant/crop physiology books as well as plant physiology journals. The topics selected for discussion are those that I believe are relevant, and in which physiology plays the dominant role. The concepts have been presented to allow both beginning students and specialists of this discipline an opportunity to expand and refine their knowledge. Certain conclusions provided
throughout the text are related to the more significant and multifaceted problems of plant and crop physiology. They are presented to provide a concise guide to the most relevant goals of both the students and the specialists. This practical and comprehensive guide has been prepared by 76 contributors from 17 countries, among the most competent and knowledgeable scientists, specialists, and researchers in agriculture. It is intended to serve as a resource for both lecture and independent purposes—for scientists, agriculture researchers, agriculture practitioners, and both educators and students in agricultural disciplines.