PLANT MORPHOLOGY - T. A. Sautkina - 2012

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PREFACE

Plant Morphology, or structural botany as it is frequently called, is one of humanity's most ancient fields of knowledge, forming the fundamental basis of all plant-related biological sciences that address various theoretical and practical problems using plants as research objects. Modern plant morphology is a complex, multifaceted discipline with broad interdisciplinary connections. It encompasses descriptive, comparative, experimental, ontogenetic, evolutionary, ecological, and functional morphology, alongside several sub-disciplines that have branched off from it (such as plant Embryology, carpology, and palynology).

As a core course in the botanical curriculum, plant morphology is included in the academic programs of all biology faculties at universities across the Republic of Belarus and many other countries.

This textbook has been prepared in accordance with the standard curriculum for the "Plant Morphology" course, developed by the authors and approved by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus. It is based on a lecture course delivered by the authors over many years at the Belarusian State University.

What distinguishes this manual from other similar educational publications is that its section on The plant Cell covers only the most essential structural characteristics—without which it is impossible to understand the Functional Properties of Plant Tissues and Organs. Students study overall Cell Structure in detail during their "Cytology" course, which, According to the academic curricula, is taught concurrently with or prior to morphology.

This textbook introduces students to a BRIEF HISTORY OF botany—the science of plants—and its fundamental branch, morphology. To use the apt expression of the distinguished systematist and evolutionary biologist A. L. Takhtajan, "morphology is the alphabet of botany." Plant morphology serves primarily as the foundation for plant Taxonomy, physiology, and ecology.

Because The Study of botanical disciplines begins with morphology, students must thoroughly master basic morphological concepts and terms, understand the macro- and microscopic Structure of Plant organisms, and learn the Characteristic Features of vegetative and reproductive organ development throughout ontogeny and evolution, as well as The structure of reproductive organs and the distinct FEATURES OF PLANT reproduction. Ultimately, students should clearly understand how morphological data are applied in various fields of botany and related scientific and practical branches of biology (such as nature conservation, plant Introduction and cultivation, geology, pharmacognosy, medicine, and biotechnology). They should also be able to apply this knowledge when studying general biological disciplines—such as taxonomy, geobotany, physiology, and plant ecology—as well as during field placements, specialized practical workshops, and when completing term papers and theses.

The textbook features an original arrangement of material and the authors' own approach to plant reproduction, which is reflected in a proposed Classification of plant reproductive Methods that differs significantly from classifications found in other textbooks.

The educational material is richly illustrated with numerous original microphotographs, photographs, diagrams, and drawings by T. A. Sautkina and V. D. Poliksenova, as well as figures borrowed from previously published botanical educational and scientific literature.

The authors express their sincere gratitude to V. I. Parfenov, Academician of the NAS of Belarus, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor; V. M. Yurin, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor; G. G. Filiptsova and V. N. Kavtsevich, Candidates of Biological Sciences, Associate Professors; the Department of Botany and Principles of Agriculture at the Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University (headed by N. D. Lisov, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor) for reviewing the manuscript and providing constructive feedback; and to A. A. Sheveleva, staff member of the BSU Department of Botany, for her creative approach and technical assistance in preparing the illustrative material.