This fifth volume in the series The Plant Viruses, dealing with viruses with bipartite genomes, completes the coverage of viruses with isometric parti cles and genomes consisting of single-stranded, positive-sense RNA: viruses that have tripartite and monopartite genomes of this kind were dealt with in Volumes 1 and 3, respectively. How close are the affinities among the viruses within the groupings distinguished in this way? All those with tripartite genomes are considered to be sufficiently closely related to be included in the family Bromoviridae, whereas the monopartite-genome viruses...

This book arises from a Royal Society discussion meeting and describes the ways in which the plant genomes have been modified to confer resistance to pathogens, pests, and herbicides; to modify developmental and physiological processes and to create plants with previously unthought of uses.