Crop physiology is one of the foundations of improvement of crops and cropping systems, wheter the aim is to increase yield or to improve efficiency of use of resources. Great strides forward have been made in the understanding of the functioning of crop plants in the field, and this book is reviews and analyzes the advances at a level which can be assimilated by degree students. The emphasis is on north-temperature cropping, although examples are drawn from elsewhere, and the authors have used a combination of findings from the laboratory and the field. Other features include an introduction to crop simulation and consideration of the interactions between plant disease and crop physiology. Overall the book aims to provide a clear explanation of difficult concepts, bearing in mind the complexity of crop/environment/management relationships. It is designed to meet the needs of advanced undergraduates and postgraduate students stydying agricultural science, plant science, ecology and environmental sciences, as well as being of practical use to research workers in crop sciences and agricultural advisers.