Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on June 3, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: November 4, 1991 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1991-0474.pr001
Preface B R A S S I N O S T E R O I D S , a new group of biologically active natural prod ucts, are under consideration as another class of phytohormones. Their discovery and development mark a major milepost in the field of plant growth regulators, and have had a profound effect on plant physiology and agronomy. These natural products are also of interest to other disci plines, such as mycology, entomology, horticulture, and (perhaps in the future) even mammalian physiology. The potential economic effects these environmentally benign compounds may have on grain crop yields are immense. The original discovery of brassinolide, a natural plant-growth promoter extracted from bee-collected pollen, was made at the U S D A Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland. Although the U S D A terminated brassinosteroid research, others around the world have carried on the work. This volume addresses the history, biochemistry, physiology, practi cal applications, production, synthesis, and entomological effects of these compounds. As the product of significant international effort, this book offers a compilation of the current work in the field. To date, it is the only comprehensive review of the subject. Without the generous support of the Division of Agrochemicals of the American Chemical Society and the substantial help of Maureen Rouhi, the book would have been impossible. We also thank B A S F A G , Hoechst A G , Firmenich A G , Mandaus A G , Schering A G , Shell Agrar A G , and Stickstoffwerke A G Piesteritz which generously supported the Halle workshop. Without the effort of all these people, this volume would not have been possible.
H O R A C E G. C U T L E R Richard B. Russell Research Center Agricultural Research Service U.S. Department of Agriculture Athens, GA 30613
GÜNTER A D A M Institute of Plant Biochemistry Weinberg 3 Halle/Saale, O-4050, Germany
TAKAO YOKOTA Department of Biosciences Teikyo University Utsunomiya 320, Japan July 22, 1991
Cutler et al.; Brassinosteroids ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1991.
