Crassulacean Acid Metabolism: Current Status and Perspectives

Abstract

In this concluding chapter, we review some of the major findings discussed in this book and their implications for our understanding of the CAM pathway. In particular, we highlight areas of uncertainty as well as consensus and refer to a number of recent findings not covered in the individual chapters. We shall focus on the biochemistry and energetics of the CAM pathway, the developmental and environmental control of its expression in different species, factors determining the growth and productivity of CAM plants in the field, and finally its possible evolutionary origins.