Pt. I. Perspectives on plant science — Pt. II. Processes and resources for growth. 1. Light use and leaf gas exchange. 2. Carbon dioxide assimilation and respiration. 3. Gaining water and nutrients: root function. 4. Using water and nutrients: cell growth. 5. Vascular integration and resource storage. 6. Growth analysis: a quantitative approach — Pt. III. Coordination of growth and reproduction. 7. Plant growth and options for reproduction. 8. Physical cues for growth and reproduction. 9. Plant hormones: chemical signalling in plant development. 10. Differentiation and gene expression. 11. Fruit growth and postharvest physiology — Pt. IV. Ecophysiology in natural and managed communities. 12. Sunlight: an all-pervasive source of energy. 13. Carbon dioxide: a universal substrate. 14. Temperature: a driving variable for plant growth and development. 15. Water: a limiting factor. 16. Nutrients: a sparse resource. 17. Salt: an environmental stress. 18. Waterlogging and submergence: surviving poor aeration. 19. Fire: an ecosystem sculptor. 20. Herbicide resistance: a case of rapid evolution.