Plant biology - Retrospect and prospect

Over the last century, plant biology has made remarkable progress, reflected in its greatly improved journals and textbooks. This article summarizes some historically important developments in the study of plant photoreceptors, especially the red-absorbing phytochromes and blue-absorbing flavoproteins, in phytohormones, in cell and tissue culture and in circadian rhythms. Attention is drawn to the neglect of polyamines, especially in relation to stress. Some effects of altered patterns of research support are noted, and a few future research trends are suggested as probable; these include increased use of molecular genetic techniques and increased attention to agricultural, ecological and ethical problems.