1;Preface;5 2;Contents;6 3;Contributors;16 4;Part I Models for Plant Development;22 4.1;Chapter 1 Gene Regulatory Models for Plant Development and Evolution;23 4.1.1;1.1 Introduction: the Need for Mathematical Models to Understand Plant Development;23 4.1.2;1.2 Dynamic GRN Models;24 4.1.3;1.3 Inference of GRN Topology from Microarray Experiments;27 4.1.4;1.4 GRN Models for Modules of Plant Development;29 4.1.5;1.5 The Constructive Role of Stochasticity in GRN and Other Complex Biological Systems;34 4.1.6;1.6 GRN Structure and Evolution;35 4.1.7;1.7 Conclusions;37 4.1.8;References;37 4.2;Chapter 2 Arabidopsis as Model for Developmental Regulation and Crop Improvement;41 4.2.1;2.1 Introduction;41 4.2.2;2.2 Knowledge Gained in Arabidopsis Is Available for Crop Scientists;42 4.2.3;2.3 Plant Architecture-Related Genes and Their Potential Uses in Crop Improvement;42 4.2.4;2.4 Understanding Abiotic Stresses to Improve Tolerance to Abiotic Stresses;47 4.2.5;2.5 Prospective Remarks;48 4.2.6;References;49 5;Part II Vegetative Growth and Development;54 5.1;Chapter 3 Axillary Shoot Branching in Plants;55 5.1.1;3.1 Introduction;55 5.1.2;3.2 Axillary Shoot Development;56 5.1.3;3.3 Hormones Involved in Axillary Bud Formation;61 5.1.4;3.4 Regulatory Pathways Involved in Shoot Branching;64 5.1.5;3.5 Future Perspectives;67 5.1.6;References;67 5.2;Chapter 4 Bud Dormancy and Growth;71 5.2.1;4.1 Introduction;71 5.2.2;4.2 Regulation of Paradormancy;72 5.2.3;4.3 Regulation of Endodormancy;75 5.2.4;4.4 Ecodormancy;82 5.2.5;4.5 Regulation of Cell Division and Development Is Important for All Forms of Dormancy;82 5.2.6;4.6 Future Perspectives;84 5.2.7;References;84 5.3;Chapter 5 Root Development;89 5.3.1;5.1 Introduction;89 5.3.2;5.2 Plant Root Systems, All But Uniform;89 5.3.3;5.3 Patterning During Root Embryogenesis;94 5.3.4;5.4 Lateral Root Development;98 5.3.5;5.5 Conclusions;101 5.3.6;References;102 5.4;Chapter 6 Legume Nodule Development;109 5.4.1;6.1 Introduction;109 5.4.2;6.2 Evolution Towards Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterial Endosymbiosis;110 5.4.3;6.3 Legume Nodule Initiation and Development;111 5.4.4;6.4 NF Perception, Signal Transduction and Genes Involved in the Establishment of Nodulation;114 5.4.5;6.5 Genes Involved in Infection, Formation and Development of Nodules;122 5.4.6;6.6 The Latest Stage of Nodulation: Nodule Senescence;127 5.4.7;6.7 Hormones in Nodulation;129 5.4.8;6.8 Autoregulation;136 5.4.9;6.9 Tools to Study Nodulation in Legumes;139 5.4.10;References;143 5.5;Chapter 7 Tuber Development;155 5.5.1;7.1 Introduction;155 5.5.2;7.2 Potato Tuber Development;157 5.5.3;7.3 Summary;165 5.5.4;References;165 5.6;Chapter 8 Senescence;169 5.6.1;8.1 Introduction;169 5.6.2;8.2 Senescence in Plants;170 5.6.3;8.3 Symptoms of Senescence;170 5.6.4;8.4 Regulation of Leaf Senescence;173 5.6.5;8.5 Molecular Genetic Regulation of Leaf Senescence;178 5.6.6;8.6 Genetic Manipulation and Application of Leaf Senescence;181 5.6.7;8.7 Conclusions and Outlooks;182 5.6.8;References;183 6;Part III Reproductive Growth and Development;188 6.1;Chapter 9 Floral Organ Initiation and Development;189 6.1.1;9.1 Introduction: the Angiosperm Flower;189 6.1.2;9.2 The MADS Box Family of Transcription Factors;190 6.1.3;9.3 Change from Vegetative Growth to Reproductive Growth;191 6.1.4;9.4 Floral Quartet Model;196 6.1.5;9.5 Autoregulatory Mechanisms;203 6.1.6;9.6 Other Genes Involved in Floral Organogenesis;203 6.1.7;9.7 Targets of the Floral Organ Identity Genes;204 6.1.8;9.8 Summary;205 6.1.9;References;205 6.2;Chapter 10 Control of Flower Development;211 6.2.1;10.1 Introduction;211 6.2.2;10.2 Regulation of Floral Organ Development;212 6.2.3;10.3 Genetic Network of Flowering Control;215 6.2.4;10.4 Perspectives;222 6.2.5;References;222 6.3;Chapter 11 Development and Function of the Female Gametophyte;225 6.3.1;11.1 Introduction;225 6.3.2;11.2 The Formation of Female Gametes;226 6.3.3;11.3 Genetic Dissection of Female Gametogenesis;229 6.3.4;11.4 Transcriptional Analysis of th