The formation, dispersal and germination of seeds are crucial
stages in the life cycles of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants. The
unique properties of seeds, particularly their tolerance to
desiccation, their mobility, and their ability to schedule their
germination to coincide with times when environmental conditions
are favorable to their survival as seedlings, have no doubt
contributed significantly to the success of seed-bearing plants.
Humans are also dependent upon seeds, which constitute the majority
of the world's staple foods (e.g., cereals and legumes).
Seeds are an excellent system for studying fundamental
developmental processes in plant biology, as they develop from a
single fertilized zygote into an embryo and endosperm, in
association with the surrounding maternal tissues. As genetic and
molecular approaches have become increasingly powerful tools for
biological research, seeds have become an attractive system in
which to study a wide array of metabolic processes and regulatory
systems.

Seed Development, Dormancy and Germination provides a
comprehensive overview of seed biology from the point of view of
the developmental and regulatory processes that are involved in the
transition from a developing seed through dormancy and into
germination and seedling growth. It examines the complexity of the
environmental, physiological, molecular and genetic interactions
that occur through the life cycle of seeds, along with the concepts
and approaches used to analyze seed dormancy and germination
behavior. It also identifies the current challenges and remaining
questions for future research. The book is directed at plant
developmental biologists, geneticists, plant breeders, seed
biologists and graduate students.