Focusing mainly on molecular biological techniques, this book with 72 contributing authors comprises 23 chapters describing methods for basic and applied research in seed dormancy.

Following two scene-setting chapters, the book is split into sections dealing with assessing and overcoming seed dormancy, hormone analysis, genomics and proteomics, chromatin studies, use of NMR, including some non-destructive assessments, methods for analysis of damage in seed storage and a final chapter on seed bioinformatics.

A weakness is that neither the preface nor the introductory chapters provide guidance on how best to determine which method is most appropriate to answer a particular research question. Moreover, methods are often focused on particular species – often Arabidopsis thaliana – and guidance on how to adapt to others is generally lacking.

In untutored hands, the book is a potential minefield and needs the health warning – discuss with your supervisor! The book inconsistently describes dormancy – some using Baskin and Baskin, others simplifying that scheme and yet others primary and secondary dormancy. Germination protocols also vary from chapter to chapter. Some recommend HPLC grade water and specify chemical purity, others do not. Some mention safety precautions, others do not. One recommends GA₄₊₇, others GA₃; some use buffer solutions, others do not for the same treatment.

Overall, however, more experienced seed biologists, who are familiar with the purpose of techniques being described and are capable of adapting to other species, will find the book a useful compendium of methods with helpful notes and hints never found in the materials and methods sections of journal articles.