Includes appendices, bibliographical references, glossary and index.

Introductory Comments -- The Physiological basis of growth -- Plant membranes as environmental sensors -- Phytohormone and plant response to stress -- Stable isotopes and plant stress physiology -- Plant carbon balance -- Water dynamics in plants -- Water limitation -- Flooding -- Irradiance -- High temperature and energy balance -- Temperature: chilling and freezing -- Multiple stress interactions -- Biotechnology and environmental stress -- Generalities , trends and future directions.