Harry Smith 
Commentaries in Plant Science [PDF ebook] 
Volume 2

Commentaries in Plant Science, Volume 2 is a collection of papers that reviews developments in the pure and applied science of plants. One paper discusses the role of supercooling in the winter survival mechanism of and ecological distribution of many plant communities. Another paper evaluates the Cholodny-Went theory of shoot geotropism that there is strong evidence in auxin redistribution occurring in a rapid manner to cause geotropic curvature. The magnitude of auxin redistribution is too rare to cause differential growth. Some insect pests have specific nutritional requirements and well-developed mechanisms for selecting their plant host. One paper enumerates the benefits of using insect-resistant host plant varieties, such as the non-incurrence of extra costs, these are environmentally safe, and are compatible with most other methods of pest control. Another paper discusses the nature and possible genetic manipulation of a complex bacteria, the actinomycetes, as well as its role as antibiotic producer. Another paper examines the nature of seed storage proteins and of the cellular processes that are related in their synthesis and deposition especially in cereals and legume. This collection is suitable for botanists, genecologists, taxonomists, biologists, and investigators whose works involve cell membrane research.