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 biology, it should also find broader applications in general plant physiology, agri­ culture, and horticulture.