This unique resource reviews progress made by scientists researching into how ambient changes in the wavelength, intensity, direction and duration of light environment affect plant growth and development. Written by over 20 leading experts in the field the book covers major breakthroughs achieved in the last decade. It is generously referenced with more than 2389 bibliographic citations. The book explains how combinations of new research with classical photobiology and physiology have made it feasible to interpret intriguing light dependent phenomena such as phototropism, determination of flowering time, shade avoidance etc. at molecular level. It covers the properties and signal transduction of plant photoreceptors from their bacterial ancestors to algae, ferns, mosses and higher plants.

This book is an indispensable tool for molecular, cell and applied biologists, geneticists, chronobiologists and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students interested in these disciplines.