Herbicides

Inhibitors of photosynthesis have played a major role in creating specific reactions and components involved in light energy transduction by the chloroplast. Although diuron (DCMU) is thought to have the greatest impact on photosynthetic research, other compounds should not be underestimated and together have played a prominent role in advances in agricultural production. These advances have lead to strong links being established between biophysicists and biochemists studying the photochemistry of the thylakoids and the agrochemical industry. Some herbicides however, interfere with chloroplast development creating an obvious theme for the volume Topics in Photosynthesis . The themes covered in this volume consist of an overview of possible interactions between herbicides and photosynthesis, the generation of oxygen radicals in plants associated with photosynthetic activities and the damage caused by many herbicides. The effects of herbicides on carotenoid, chlorophyll and chloroplast lipid biosynthetics pathway are also reviewed as well as a quest to identify chemicals which will stimulate photosynthetic potential to increase crop yields.