Chemistry in the Garden

by Hanson, James R.

• ISBN13: 9780854048977
• ISBN10: 0854048979
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-09-30
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Summary

The aim of this book is to describe some aspects of the chemistry and chemical ecology which are found inthe garden. In the garden there are numerous interactions between plants, the soil and with other organisms in whichchemistry plays a central mediating role. The discussion concerns several of the chemically and ecologicallyinteresting compounds that are produced by common ornamental garden plants and vegetables and by thepredators that attack them. Many chemists are amateur gardeners and this book is directed at them as well as those with a general interest in the scientific processes involved in the garden.

Author Biography

Chris Brickwell was Director General of the Royal Horticultural Society from 1985 to 1993.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chemical Diversity in Plants	p. 2
The Structure Elucidation of Natural Products	p. 3
The Ecological Role of Natural Products	p. 4
Changes in the Garden	p. 6
The Biosynthetic Relationship of Natural Products
Polyketides	p. 12
Terpenoids	p. 13
Phenylpropanoids	p. 15
Alkaloids	p. 17
Natural Products and Plant Biochemistry in the Garden
The Structural Material of Plants	p. 21
Photosynthesis	p. 26
Oxidative Coenzymes	p. 29
Plant Hormones	p. 30
Garden Soils
The Mineral Structure of the Soil	p. 35
The Organic Content of the Soil	p. 37
Nutrients from the Soil	p. 38
The Role of pH	p. 39
Fertilizers and Compost	p. 40
Microbial Interactions within the Soil	p. 41
The Colour and Scent of Garden Plants
Colouring Matters	p. 44
The Carotenoids	p. 44
The Anthocyanins	p. 46
Natural Pigments	p. 50
Floral and Leaf Scents	p. 52
Bioactive Compounds from Ornamental Plants
Compounds from the Lamiaceae	p. 59
The Foxgloves and Cardiac Glycosides	p. 62
Poppies	p. 63
Compounds from the Asteraceae	p. 64
The Constituents of Bulbs	p. 67
Toxic Compounds from Ornamental Plants	p. 69
Compounds from Ornamental Trees	p. 72
Mistletoe	p. 75
Conifers	p. 75
Natural Products in the Vegetable and Fruit Garden
Root Vegetables	p. 80
Onions, Garlic and Asparagus	p. 86
The Brassicas	p. 89
Lettuce	p. 91
The Legumes	p. 93
Rhubarb	p. 94
Tomatoes	p. 94
Fruit Trees	p. 96
Soft Fruit	p. 98
Fungal and Insect Chemistry in the Garden
Microbial Interactions	p. 107
Lichens	p. 109
Mycorrhizal and Endophytic Organisms	p. 110
Interactions between Fungi	p. 111
Insect Chemistry in the Garden	p. 113
Epilogue	p. 122
Further Reading	p. 124
Glossary	p. 128
Subject Index	p. 134
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