Book excerpt: ETHYLENE IN PLANT BIOLOGY Comprehensive resource detailing the role of ethylene in plant development regulation, gene regulation, root development, stress tolerance, and more Ethylene in Plant Biology presents ethylene research from leading laboratories around the globe to allow readers to gain strong foundational coverage of the topic and aid in further ethylene research as it pertains to plant biology. The work covers general ideas as well as more specific and technical knowledge, detailing the overall role of ethylene in plant biology as a gaseous plant hormone that has emerged as an important signaling molecule which regulates several steps of a plant’s life cycle. The ideas covered in the work range from discovery of ethylene, to its wide roles in plant growth and development, all the way to niche topics such as stress acclimation. Written by highly qualified authors in fields directly related to plant biology and research, the work is divided into 20 chapters, with each chapter covering a specific facet of ethylene or the interaction between ethylene and plant health. Topics discussed in the text include: Our current understanding of ethylene and fruit ripening, plus the role of ethylene in flower and fruit development Ethylene implications in root development and crosstalk of ethylene with other phytohormones in plant development Ethylene as a multitasking regulator of abscission processes and powerful coordinator of drought responses Mechanisms for ethylene synthesis and homeostasis in plants, along with ethylene and phytohormone crosstalk in plant defense Ethylene and metabolic reprogramming under abiotic stresses, as well as ethylene’s applications in crop improvement For biologists, scientists, researchers, and policy makers in the agriculture and pharmaceutical industries, Ethylene in Plant Biology is a key resource to understand the state of the art in the field and establish a foundation of knowledge that can power future research efforts and practical applications.