Adverse environmental factors can impose stress on plants and influence the expression of the full genetic potential for growth and reproduction. The capability of plants to develop plastic response reactions, to adapt to environmental stress situations, is unique in the biological world. A goal of the research described in this volume is to increase crop productivity, particular in regions where the environment imposes stress. An understanding of the principles involved in plant adaptation to environmental stress will enable optimisation of practices to improve agronomic production and minimise damaging environmental impact. The aim of this volume is to link the rapidly advancing and increasingly specialist field of molecular biology with plant physiology at the ecosystem level. The book includes chapters focused on some principle methods and a series of up-to-date review chapters on plant adaptation to a variety of specific stresses. The utilisation of newly available genome information is emphasised. Of particular importance is the desire to highlight the current potential of such approaches, and how diverse disciplines can interact and complement one another. The book is aimed at both the specialist and the advanced student.

1. Introduction: The Molecular Analysis of Plant Adaptation to the Environment.- 2. Genetic Dissection of Plant Stress Responses.- 3. Differential Cloning.- 4. Application of Genomics in Agriculture.- 5. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLS) for Analysis of Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Abiotic Stress.- 6. Molecular Strategies to Overcome Salt Stress in Agriculture.- 7. The Responses of Plants to Pathogens.- 8. Responses and Adaptations of Plants to Metal Stress.- 9. Molecular Responses to Oxidative Stress.- 10. Responses to Low Temperature and Adaptations to Freezing.- 11. Plant Responses to Nutritional Stresses.