Abstract
Cell-wall degradation occurs in a wide variety of situations. First, it is important at certain points in the normal life of the plant, such as seed germination, xylem-vessel formation, fruit ripening, abscission and it perhaps growth (Section 4.5). Secondly, it is an important part of the process by which other organisms degrade plant material, whether in the process of pathogenic or saprophytic attack by microorganisms or during digestion by herbivores. Thirdly, cell-wall degradation is a key process underlying several industrial processes.
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Further Reading
Brady, C.J. 1987. Fruit ripening. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 38, 155–78.
Fincher, G.B. & B.A. Stone 1981. Metabolism of non-cellulosic polysaccharides. In Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology, W. Tanner, F.A. Loewus (eds), NS 13B, 68–132. Berlin: Springer.
Leng, R. A. 1973. Salient features of the digestion of pastures by ruminants and other herbivores. In Chemistry and biochemistry of herbage, Vol. 3: G.W. Butler & R.W. Bailey (eds) 82–129. New York: Academic Press.
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© 1990 C. Brett & K. Waldron
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Brett, C., Waldron, K. (1990). Cell-wall degradation. In: Physiology and Biochemistry of Plant Cell Walls. Topics in Plant Physiology, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9641-6_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9641-6_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-0-04-581035-2
Online ISBN: 978-94-010-9641-6
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