The biological significance of carbohydrates in glycosyl ated biopolymers emerged from studies on viruses, microbial cells and animal tissues. Plant-related processes, a rela tive newcomer to this area of research, now offer chal lenging questions as regards the roles of glycosyl-con jugates and carbohydrate-binding proteins in such broadly based topics as pollination, fertilization, symbiosis (including nitrogen fixation), the chemical basis of morphogenesis, and the broad area of plant protection. While the impressive accomplishments on model systems, membrane-bound processes, receptor site...