Chemistry in the garden

Chemistry determines many of the relationships between the soil, the plants and predatory insects and fungi. The peace and tranquility of the garden hides a battle-ground dominated by chemical warfare. This book discusses the role of natural products in the ecological chemistry of the garden with the aim of stimulating interest in this area of bio-organic chemistry. It describes the chemical diversity of common plants that are grown in the garden and the chemical factors that can contribute to their growth. Coverage details what natural products are involved in the color and scent of flowers, in the toxicity of some seeds or contribute to the beneficial properties of home grown fruit and vegetables.

Chapter 1: Introduction, Chemical diversity in plants, The structure elucidation of natural products, The ecological role of natural products, Changes in the garden, Chapter 2: The biosynthetic relationships of natural products, Polyketides, Terpenoids, Phenylpropanoids, Alkaloids, Chapter 3: Natural products and plant biochemistry in the garden, The structural materials of plants, Photosynthesis, Oxidative co-enzymes, Plant hormones, Chapter 4: Garden soils, The mineral structure of the soil, The organic content of the soil, Nutrients from the soil, The role of pH, Fertilizers and compost, Microbial interactions within the soil, Chapter 5: The colour and scent of garden plants, Colouring matters, The carotenoids, The anthocyanins, Natural pigments, Floral and leaf scents, Chapter 6: Bioactive compounds from ornamental plants, Compounds from the Lamiaceae, Constituents of bulbs, Toxic compounds from ornamental plants, Compounds from ornamental trees, Mistletoe, Conifers, Chapter 7: Natural products in the vegetable and fruit garden, Root vegetables, Onions, garlic and asparagus, The brassicas, Lettuce, The legumes, Rhubarb, Tomatoes, Fruit trees, Soft fruit, Chapter 8: Fungal and insect chemistry in the garden, Microbial interactions, Lichens, Mycorrhizal and endophytic organisms, Interactions between fungi, Insect chemistry in the garden, Epilogue, Further Reading, Glossary, Index.