Plants and People Origin and Development of Human--Plant Science Relationships

An exploration of the relationship between plants and people from early agriculture to modern-day applications of biotechnology in crop production, this book covers the development of agricultural sciences from Roman times through the development of agricultural experiment stations in the United States to the rise of agri-business. It discusses plant anatomy, physiology, and reproduction; evolution of plants and people; early uses of plants; the rise of agriculture in both Old and New Worlds; creation of land grant universities and agricultural experiment stations; the Green Revolution; plant biotechnology; and the future of plant sciences in feeding the growing human population.