Since the publication of our monograph on seed physiology and biochemistry (The Physiology and Biochemistry of Seeds in Relation to Germination, Sprin­ ger-Verlag, 1978, 1982), it has been suggested to us that a text covering the same subject area would be appropriate. This book is our response. Unlike the previous volumes, however, this text is not intended to be either a critical or a comprehensive account. Instead it is a more generalized consideration of the essential aspects of seed physiology and biochemistry as we see them. It also includes a substantial amount of new and different material. In a work of this sort it is inevitable that some simplifications must be made, but we hope, never­ theless, that we have presented the most reasonable conspectus of areas of con­ troversy and uncertainty. In this respect, literature citations have been kept to a minimum and do not interrupt the text; they are placed at the end of each chapter and are intended to be used as a source for further references. We hope that this book will be of value to students and teachers in uni­ versities, colleges, and other institutes of higher learning whose courses include plant biology. Although it is particularly appropriate for studies of seed biol­ ogy, it should also find broader applications in general plant physiology, agri­ culture, and horticulture.