Horticultural Reviews presents state-of-the-art reviews on topics in horticultural science and technology covering both basic and applied research. Topics covered include the horticulture of fruits, vegetables, nut crops, and ornamentals. These review articles, written by world authorities, bridge the gap between the specialized researcher and the broader community of horticultural scientists and teachers.

Table of Contents:
Contributors ix Dedication: John Reuben Clark xiii Chad E. Finn 1. Postharvest Biology and Technology of Cut Flowers and Potted Plants 1 Michael S. Reid and Cai-Zhong Jiang I. Introduction 3 II. The Ornamental Industry 4 III. Factors Affecting the Postharvest Life of Ornamentals 5 IV. Biology of Flower Senescence 29 V. Transgenic Strategies for Extending Floral Life 36 VI. Future Prospects 42 Literature Cited 44 2. Water Relations of Cut Flowers: An Update 55 Wouter G. van Doorn I. Introduction 57 II. Water Supply to Flowers 57 III. Water Loss: Influence of Stomata 58 IV. Water Uptake: Xylem Blockage 63 V. Small and Coalescing Air Bubbles Form in Cut Stems, in the Absence of Cavitation 88 VI. Water Flow Rate in the Xylem as Affected by Ions in the Water 89 VII. Use of An Artificial Tap Water as a Standard Vase Solution? 90 VIII. Water Stress and Ethylene 93 IX. Conclusions 96 Acknowledgments 97 Literature Cited 97 3. Factors Involved in Fruit Calcium Deficiency Disorders 107 Sergio Tonetto de Freitas and Elizabeth J. Mitcham I. Introduction 109 II. Physiology of Calcium Deficiency in Fruit Tissue 109 III. Calcium Translocation at the Whole Plant Level 111 IV. Calcium at the Fruit Level 116 V. Calcium at the Cellular Level 118 VI. Role of Abiotic Stress in Calcium Deficiency Disorders 125 VII. Role of Growth Regulators in Calcium Deficiency Disorders 127 VIII. Proposed Mechanisms Controlling Fruit Susceptibility to Calcium Deficiency Disorders 135 Literature Cited 137 4. Rhubarb: Botany, Horticulture, and Genetic Resources 147 Danny L. Barney and Kim E. Hummer I. Introduction 148 II. Historical 149 III. Botany 156 IV. Horticulture 164 V. World Genetic Resources 170 VI. The Future 178 Acknowledgments 178 Literature Cited 179 Manuscripts 182 5. Ancient Dates and their Potential Use in Breeding 183 Shimshon Ben-Yehoshua and Liat Josefsberg Ben-Yehoshua I. Introduction 184 II. Dates and Health 189 III. Historical Review 190 IV. Remnants of Dates and Their Potential Uses 203 V. Conclusions 210 Acknowledgments 210 Literature Cited 210 6. The Cucurbits and Nightshades of Renaissance England: John Gerard and William Shakespeare 215 Jules Janick, Harry S. Paris, and Marie-Christine Daunay I. Introduction 216 II. John Gerard 217 III. William Shakespeare 246 IV. The Connection Between Gerard and Shakespeare 251 V. Conclusion 252 Literature Cited 255 7. Greenhouse Cover Technology 259 Johannes F. J. Max, Ulrich Schurr, Hans-Jürgen Tantau, Urbanus N. Mutwiwa, Thomas Hofmann, and Andreas Ulbrich I. Introduction 263 II. Greenhouse Superstructures 267 III. Materials Used for Covering Greenhouses 286 IV. Material Combinations 346 V. Plant Response to Greenhouse Covers 350 VI. Comparison and Economic Assessment 368 VII. Conclusions and Prospects 378 Acknowledgments 381 Literature Cited 381 Subject Index 397 Cumulative Subject Index 399 Cumulative Contributor Index 427