Guttation : Fundamentals and Applications

A unique and comprehensive treatment of the guttation process, this book is suitable for a wide audience in the field of plant sciences. It not only discusses the principle, mechanism and applications of guttation, but also emphasises the impact of guttation on soil-plant-animal-environment systems.

The phenomenon of guttation finds applications in a wide range of areas, including plant biology, ecology, agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, pharmacology and medicine. This unique text provides a comprehensive review of this process. It explores the genetic, environmental, and edaphic factors that control and regulate guttation; and discusses in detail the impact of guttation on soil-plant-animal-environment systems, soil fertility and soil productivity, plant water balance, plant physiological research, ecosystem maintenance, and hydathode retrieval of water and solute. A separate chapter addresses practical applications, such as in the production of recombinant proteins for commercial use, seed protein, alkaloids, pharmaceutical drugs, resins, gums, and rubber. Besides specialists in plant sciences, the book will also appeal to anyone interested in the topic of plant-water relationships.