This comprehensive book acts as a guide to understanding maize kernel development. It covers topics spanning pre- and post-fertilization events, embryo and endosperm development, grain filling and maturation, and factors that influence crop yield. It addresses existing hypotheses plus important gaps in our knowledge and how we might fill them.

Contributions by: Philip Becraft, Jim Birchler, Ljudmilla Borisjuk, Prem S. Chourey, Joanne Dannenhoffer, Matthew Evans, Sherry Flint-Garcia, José Gutiérrez-Marcos, Jeff Habben, Curt Hannah, Tracie Hennen-Bierwagen, Gregorio Hueros, Gwyneth Ingram, Shawn Kaeppler, Karen Koch, Brian A Larkins, Fangfang Ma, Don McCarty, Jo Messing, Alan Meyers, Keith Roesler, Hardy Rolletschek, Paolo Sabelli, Jeff Schussler, Bo Shen, Bill Sheridan, Rentao Song, Erik Vollbrecht, Thomas Widiez, Yongrui Wu, Ramin Yadegari, Junpeng Zhan