Our knowledge of pollen, the gold dust that carries the male germ line of flowering plants and is vital for sexual reproduction and seed formation, has 'come of age' with the publication of this book. Here, for the first time in a single volume, are all the ideas and techniques developed in the last two decades concerning the manipulation of pollen and pollen tubes in plant breeding and biotechnology. Pollen has never been an easy topic to come to grips with, with its variable and often inexplicable terminology that has made it a more difficult field in which to work. This book will remedy that, with its overview of pollen biology and pollen-pistil interactions that explains terms and concepts of the male function of pollen in a way that is readily understandable to the student and professional plant scientist and plant breeder.

‘The book gives an excellent and comprehensive overview of Pollen biotechnology. The book is well worth reading and to be recommended.’

J. M. Greef Source: Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science

‘Taken together, the twenty one chapters, which are written to a consistently high standard, form the best current overview of pollination biotechnology in its broadest sense, making this an invaluable work of reference for advanced undergraduates, research workers and plant breeders … it also provides an ideal starting point for any university lecturer contemplating the development of an undergraduate course on pollen biology. In an age of increasing specialisation in biological research, the editors are to be congratulated on a volume which illustrates how a multidisciplinary approach to applied biology can generate solutions to practical problems and advance the understanding of fundamental biological processes. Highly recommended.’

Source: Biological Agriculture and Horticulture

‘[This book] is an important contribution to the plant science literature. It makes pollen knowledge accessible to students, teachers, researchers and to those involved in other fields of biotechnology.’

Matti Puolimatka Source: Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter

‘The editors, Shivanna and Sawhney, are themselves among the leaders in pollen research. They have generously expended their time and expertise to bring together a case of authors of unmatched authority, and have assembled their contributions to produce a volume summing up a half-century of progress in many central aspects of research on angiosperm reproduction - showing, furthermore, how the results are steadily being integrated into the practical business of plant improvement. Congratulations to all involved, including the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press, responsible for a volume of fine quality.’

J. Heslop-Harrison Source: Annals of Botany