This volume offers a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge developments in horticultural science. This authoritative collection features expert reviews on the molecular genetics and genomics of key species, including faba bean, tomato, celery, lily, and broccoli, elucidating the mechanisms behind yield, quality, and bioactive compounds. The volume also explores innovative and sustainable cultivation techniques, with in-depth analyses of controlled environment agriculture for leafy greens, the use of organic substrates, and the sensory implications of sustainable practices for Brassica oleracea. Crucial insights into the molecular control of pre- and post-harvest traits, this essential text provides researchers, students, and professionals with a forward-looking synthesis of modern horticultural science and its practical applications.
Bell, Luke: -
Dr. Luke Bell is a Lecturer in Molecular Horticulture at the University of Reading, where his research addresses critical challenges at the intersection of food security, climate change, and consumer quality. His work is primarily focused on enhancing crop resilience and optimising the nutritional and sensory traits of horticultural produce.
Dr. Bell's research is deeply informed by his prior experience in industry, where he worked for several years as a plant breeder. In this role, he developed commercial breeding programs for leafy salad and herb species, cultivating a specialist interest in crop biochemistry and its connection to flavour and nutrition. This industry background now forms the cornerstone of his academic research into climate-smart horticulture and food loss prevention.
His key achievements include generating the first reference genome sequence for the leafy vegetable Eruca vesicaria (salad rocket) and developing a state-of-the-art volatilomics platform at the University of Reading to study plant chemical compounds. His ongoing projects involve enhancing the resilience of UK fruit and vegetable supply chains, investigating the impact of climate change on crop biochemistry, and optimising controlled environment agriculture at the molecular level.
Dr. Bell holds a PhD in Food & Nutritional Science from the University of Reading, an MSc in Plant & Environmental Science from the University of Warwick, and a BSc in Ecology & Biology from the University of East Anglia. In recognition of his work, he has previously received the Horticulturae Young Investigator Award and is a recognized leader in the field of food chemistry. He currently serves as an Associate Editor for two leading international journals in horticultural and food sciences.
Jacquot, Jean-Pierre: - Professor Jacquot has contributed to the elucidation of redox regulation in plants. Study of the thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems and their molecular targets. His technical competence includes: plant biochemistry, genetic engineering, site directed mutagenesis, protein structure function relationship. He has 230 articles published in peer reviewed international journals. 180 accessible in Pubmed, 228 in ISI web. He has also been the Series Editor for Advances in Botanical Research (Elsevier) since 2011 and Editorial Board member of The Journal of Biological Chemistry from 2008-2013. He has been a senior member of Institut Universitaire de France since 2007 and received Gay-Lussac von Humboldt Prize Bundes Republik Deutschland Académie des sciences française, mention Biology 2009-2010. His past and present administrative duties include Member of Conseil National des Universités section 66 (2005-2007and 2011-today), Director of Structure Fédérative 4242 Ecosystèmes forestiers, Agroressources, Bioprocédés et Alimentation (EFABA) (since 2004), Director of Pôle de recherches A2F (Agronomie Agroalimentaire Forêt), Université de Lorraine (2006-2011, 2012-today) and Head of the group «Stress response and redox regulation » of UMR Interactions Arbres Microorganismes till 2012.
