Fertilization in Higher Plants -

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Résumé :
Biotechnological methods are opening new ways in plant breeding. They allow novel strategies for improving crop productivity and quality, especially in the agrofood sector. The molecular mechanisms underlying these biotechnological approaches are presented here. Topics included are: pollen development, pollen tube growth, macrosporogenesis and fertilization and the effects of pesticides on sexual plant reproduction. Fertilization in higher plants is a complex process consisting of two events, the fusion of the egg with one sperm cell resulting in the diploid zygote, and the fusion of embryosac nuclei with another sperm cell, leading to a triploid endosperm. This double fertilization is preceded by the pollination process and a long lasting interaction between the dipoid pistil and the haploid pollen tube (progamic phase). Fertilization of flowering plants results in the formation of seeds and fruits, our basic food supply.

Sommaire:
Preface. 1 Polyamines and Gene Expression of Biosynthetic Enzymes in Sexual Plant Reproduction; N. Bagni, A. Tassoni and M. Franceschetti.. 2 Carotenoid Biosynthesis in plant Reproductive Organs: Regulation and Possible Functions;Giovanni Giuliano. 3 Lipid Accumulation and Related Gene Expression in Gametophytic and Sporophytic Anther Tissues; P. Piffanelli and D.J. Murphy. 4 Sex Determination or Sexual Dimorphism? On Facts and Terminology; Lardon Andr, Delichre Catherine, Monger Franoise and Negrutiu Ioan. 5 Meiosis; Trude Schwarzacher. 6 Regulation of Gene Expression During Pollen Development; George J. Wullems and Jan A.M. Schrauwen. 7 Double Fertilization in Flowering Plants: Origin, Mechanisms and New Information from in Vitro Fertilization; Jean-Emmanuel Faure. 8 Molecular Approach to Female Meiosis in Petunia HybridaAndrea Porceddu, Chiaraluce Moretti, Silvia Sorbolini, Samantha Guiderdone, Luisa Lanfaloni, Franco Lorenzetti and Mario Pezzotti. 9 Homomorphic Self-Incompatibility in Flowering Plants; D. de Nettancourt. 10 Cell Death of Self-Incompatible Pollen Tubes: Necrosis or Apoptosis? Anja Geitmann. 11 Aspects of the Cell Biology of Pollination and Wide Hybridization; J.S Heslop-Harrison. 12 Pollen Coat Signals With Respect to Pistil Activation and Ovule Penetration in Gasteria Verrucosa (Mill.) H.Duval; M.T.M.Willemse. 13 Tapetum and Orbicules (Ubisch Bodies): Development, Morphology and Role of Pollen Grains and Tapetal Orbicules in Allergenicity; Gamal El-Ghazaly. 14 Development and Substructures of Pollen Grains Wall; Gamal El-Ghazaly. 15 Mechanisms of Microspore Polarity and Differential Cell Fate Determination in Developing Pollen; David Twell. 16 Genetic Control of Pollen Development and Function; M. Sari-Gorla and M. E. P. 17 The Use of the Vibrating Probe Technique to Study Steady Extracellular Currents During Pollen Germination and Tube Growth; Alan M. Shipley and Jose'A. Feijo. 18 The Role of Calcium and Associated Proteins in Tip Growth and Orientation; Rui Malh. 19 Measuring Ion Channel Activity During Polar Growth of Pollen Tubes; Fiona Armstrong, Rainer Benkert, Friedrich-Wilhelm Bentrup, and Gerhard Obermeyer. 20 The Rheological Properties of the Pollen Tube Cell Wall; Anja Geitmann. 21 Actin Filament- and Microtubule-Based Motor Systems: Their Concerted Action During Pollen Tube Growth; Alessandra Moscatelli, Giampiero Cai and Mauro Cresti. 22 The Pollen Tube Oscillator: Towards a Molecular Mechanism of Tip Growth? Jos A. Feij. 23 Fertilization and Zygotic Embryo Development in Vitro; Erhard Kranz, Jochen Kumlehn and Thomas Dresselhaus. 24 MADS Box Genes Controlling Ovule and Seed Development in Petunia; Lucia Colombo and Gerco C. Angenent. 25 Domains Of Gene Expression in Developing Endosperm; Heinz-Albert Becker, Gregorio Hueros, Monika Maitz, Serena Varotto, Antonio Serena, and Richard D. Thompson. 26 Advances on the Study of Sexual Reproduction in the Cork-Tree (Quercus suber L.), Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) and in Rosaceae (Apple and Almond); J.A. Feij, A.C. Certal, L. Boavida, I. Van Nerum, T. Valdiviesso, M.M. Oliveira, W. Broothaerts. 27 Pollen as Food for Humans and Animals and as Medicine; F. LINSKENS. 28 Field Release of Transgenic Virus Tolerant Tomatoes; S.Valanzuolo, M.M. Monti, M. Colombo, G. Cassani. 29 Grapevine Biotechnology Coming on to the Scene; Rita Vignani, Monica Scali and Mauro Cresti