The plant family Brassicaceae (= Cruciferae) comprises some 338 genera, and includes the species Arabidopsis thaliana, intensive studies of which have greatly increased our knowledge of basic plant biology, particularly at the molecular level. The family also contains a wide range of crop species, mainly within the genus Brassica. For at least three decades studies into the genetics of Arabidopsis have carried the prospect of the improved breeding of brassica crops, and the domestication of further crucifers as industrial crops.

This book consists of 23 review chapters by authors based in national research institutes and universities. Topics covered are the evolution of the family, the genetics of Arabidopsis and several crop and wild species, methodologies, and genetic and bioinformatic resources. A few chapters link studies of Arabidopsis with the crop brassicas by comparing genomic structures, gene function, the production of industrial, anti-nutritional and pharmaceutical chemicals (e.g. fatty acids and glucosinolates), and the control of fertilization by self-incompatibility (as exploited in the production of F1 hybrid cultivars).

However, readers of this journal should be aware that this book is essentially academic and contains little of immediate application in agriculture. To paraphrase many of the authors – ‘lots of potential, but more research needed’.