Floral biology, pollination and fertilisation in temperate zone fruit species and grape. * Kozma P, Nyeki J, Soltesz M, Szabo Z. 2003. * Budapest: Akademiai Kiado. $98 (hardback).621 pp.

Abstract

The primary focus of this book is to discuss the floral biology of the fruit crops including apple, grape, Ribes, Rubus, strawberry, the stone fruits and several nut species. The emphasis is on horticultural aspects of reproductive biology and pollination ecology. The strong point of the book is the amount of information provided on the anatomy and morphology of floral structures, the different patterns of floral development and the types of crossing relationships in fruit crops. It begins with five overview chapters concerning the hormonal aspects of floral development, the morphology of pollen, stigmata and anthers, and descriptions of the types of floral injury. There is then a lengthy (150 pages) discussion of flower types in grapes, followed by a chapter on plantation design. The book then launches into a series of chapters describing individual crops, which vary somewhat in content due to multiple authors, but all provide comprehensive information on bloom phenology, levels of self-fertility and varietal compatibility groups. There is a wealth of information on types of mating systems and extensive lists are given on the fertility and inter-fertility of the common varieties grown. The book ends with a general discussion of bee pollination and the conditions that influence its effectiveness. The information provided in this book is heavily slanted towards the Hungarian and European literature on floral biology, but overall it is an excellent survey of literature not available anywhere else in English. Its English is a bit stilted as is often the case when chapters are translated, but in general it is understandable. The book is recommended to individuals interested in the planning of large-scale commercial plantations of temperate fruit crops, and those who are interested in detailed descriptions of the anatomy and morphology of plant reproductive structures.