The aim of this book is to describe some aspects of the chemistry and chemical ecology which are found in the garden. In the garden there are numerous interactions between plants, the soil and with other organisms in which chemistry plays a central mediating role. The discussion concerns several of the chemically and ecologically interesting compounds that are produced by common ornamental garden plants and vegetables and by the predators that attack them. Many chemists are amateur gardeners and this book is directed at them as well as those with a general interest in the scientific processes involved in the garden

CONTENTS :

Chapter 1 : Introduction

1.1 Chemical Diversity in Plants
1.2 The Structure Elucidation of Natural Products

1.3 The Ecological Role of Natural Products

1.4 Changes in the Garden

Chapter 2 : The Biosynthetic Relationship of Natural Products

2.1 Polyketides

2.2 Terpenoids

2.3 Phenylpropanoids

2.4 Alkaloids

Chapter 3 : Natural Products and Plant Biochemistry in the Garden

3.1 The Structural material of Plants

3.2 Photosynthesis

3.3 Oxidative Coenzymes

3.4 Plant Hormones

Chapter 4 : Garden Soils

4.1 The Mineral Structure of Soil

4.2 The Organic content of the Soil

4.3 Nutrients from the soil

4.4 The Role of pH

4.5 Fertilizers and Compost

4.6 Microbial Interactions within the soil

Chapter 5 : The Colour and Scent of Garden Plants

5.1 Coluring Matters

5.2 The Carotenoids

5.3 The Anthocynanins

5.4 Natural Pigments

5.5 Floral and Leaf Scents

Chapter 6 : Bioactive Compounds from Ornamental Plants

6.1 Compounds from the Lamiaceae

6.2 The Foxgloves and Cardiac Glycosides

6.3 Poppies

6.4 Compounds from the Asteraceae

6.5 The Constituents of Bulbs

6.6 Toxic Compounds from Ornamental Plants

6.7 Compounds from Ornamental Trees

6.8 Mistletoe

6.9 Conifers

Chapter 7 : Natural Products in the Vegetable and Fruit Garden

7.1 Root Vegetables

7.2 Onions, Garlic and Asparagus

7.3 The Brassicas

7.4 Lettuce

7.5 The Legumes

7.6 Rhubarb

7.7 Tomatoes

7.8 Fruit Trees

7.9 Soft Fruit

Chapter 8 : Fungal and Insect Chemistry in the Garden

8.1 Microbial Interactions

8.2 Lichens

8.3 Mycorrhizal and Endophytic Organisms

8.4 Interactions between Fungi

8.5 Insect Chemistry in the Garden

Epilogue

Further Reading
Glossary

Subject Index