Strigolactones, Alkamides and Karrikins in Plants


Book Description

Strigolactones, Alkamides and Karrikins in Plants: Recent Updates and Future Prospects provides comprehensive knowledge on the various aspects of plant growth, physiology, and communication associated with the three potential biomolecules. Strigolactones have gained much importance in the last decade as potential plant growth regulators. Likewise, alkamides are also known for their plant growth regulatory and pharmacological properties. The evolutionary significance of karrikins as a potential signaling molecule in different plant groups has been fascinating to plant physiologists and ecologists. This book enables the reader to gain insights into the myriad role of these biomolecules in plant physiology in normal and challenging environments. The book offers comprehensive coverage of the most essential topics, including: • Regulation of strigolactone biosynthesis. • Strigolactones and plant stress tolerance. • Strigolactones and parasitic plants. • Alkamides and plant-microbe interaction in rhizosphere. • Pharmacological potential of alkamides. • Molecular associations of strigolactones and karrikins. • Karrikins in plant biotechnology. • Commercial realities of karrikins in biodiversity restoration. In reference to the recent findings in the field, the authors have provided insights into the role of each biomolecule and analyzed the future prospects of each cover area. The present book is the first of its kind, in which the three molecules have been integrated as potential regulators of plant signaling, communication, and physiology in adverse conditions. Karrikins in plant biology is an emerging field in which its inter-relationship with strigolactones shall pave the way to future investigations of the molecular mechanisms of plant stress tolerance, regulation of root system architecture, and crop yield.




Biostimulants for Crops from Seed Germination to Plant Development


Book Description

Biostimulants for crops from seed germination to plant development focuses on the effects and roles of natural biostimulants in every aspect of plant growth development to reduce the use of harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Biostimulants are a group of substances of natural origin that offer a potential to reduce the dependency on harmful chemical fertilizers causing environmental degradation. While there is extensive literature on biostimulants, there remains a gap in understanding how natural biostimulants work and their practical application. This book fills that gap, presenting the ways in which biostimulants enhance seed vigor and plant productivity by looking into their mode of action, an area still being researched for deeper understanding. Exploring the roles of seed germination, pollen tube formation, pollen-pistil interaction, flower and fruit setting, to plant pigments, rhizospheric and soil microorganisms, the book also sheds light on the challenges and realistic opportunities for the use of natural biostimulants. - Approaches biostimulant research with the goal of transforming scientific research into practical application - Includes real-world examples from laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments - Presents the biochemical, physiological and molecular mode of action of biostimulants




Rhizobiology: Molecular Physiology of Plant Roots


Book Description

This book discusses the recent advancements in the role of various biomolecules in regulating root growth and development. Rhizobiology is a dynamic sub discipline of plant science which collates investigations from various aspects like physiology, biochemistry, genetic analysis and plant–microbe interactions. The physiology and molecular mechanisms of root development have undergone significant advancements in the last couple of decades. Apart from the already known conventional phytohormones (IAA, GA, cytokinin, ethylene and ABA), certain novel biomolecules have been considered as potential growth regulators or hormones regulating plant growth and development. Root phenotyping and plasticity analysis with respect to the specific functional mutants of each biomolecule shall provide substantial information on the molecular pathways of root signaling. Special emphasis provides insights on the tolerance and modulatory mechanisms of root physiology in response to light burst, ROS generation, agravitrophic response, abiotic stress and biotic interactions. Root Apex Cognition: From Neuronal Molecules to Root-Fungal Networks and Suberin in Monocotyledonous Crop Plants: Structure and Function in Response to Abiotic Stresses” are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com. Chapters “Root Apex Cognition: From Neuronal Molecules to Root-Fungal Networks and Suberin in Monocotyledonous Crop Plants: Structure and Function in Response to Abiotic Stresses” are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.




Catharanthus roseus


Book Description

This book studies the production of indole alkaloids in the important medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, commonly known as periwinkle. The anticancer alkaloids, viz. vinblastine and vincristine, are mainly present in the leaves of C. roseus and inhibit the growth of cancer cells by hindering the formation of mitotic apparatus during cell division. Further, vinblastine helps increase the chance of surviving childhood leukemia while vincristine is used to treat Hodgkin’s disease. Great efforts have been made to produce these alkaloids at a large scale by the culture of plant cells. In view of this worldwide demand for commercial use, this book explores how to maximize the production of anticancer alkaloids from C. roseus. This reference book will be helpful for research students, teachers, ethnobotanists, pharmacologists and herbal growers who have a strong interest in this anticancer medicinal plant of paramount importance.




Memories- A Novella


Book Description

"It is said that if you were in Delhi University in the eighties and remember it, you weren't there. Our hero was very much there, and what he remembers has filled a book. Follow Boy in this delightfully funny coming-of-age tale as he outwits homework, wrestles with hormones, navigates bullies, gets “high”er education, learns the vertical expression of horizontal intentions (otherwise known as dance), barely manages to get employed and finally gets hitched. Somewhere along the way, he discovers what it means to be a “grown up.” "




Medicinal and Aromatic Plants


Book Description

Growing consumer interest in organic and herbal-based products has led to great demand in the botanicals industry in the past few years. However, the growing number of products utilizing medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) has threatened an estimated 9,000 medicinal plant species worldwide, making it critical to reevaluate their research and development, production, and utilization. Continuing advances in Omics methodologies and instrumentation are essential to understanding how plants cope with the dynamic nature of their growing environment, how yields and characteristics can be improved, and how to most effectively direct conservation efforts. With a focus on metabolomics, genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and more, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Expanding Their Horizons through Omics illustrates the genetic mechanisms of MAPs, providing a better understanding of MAPs conservation and methods to improve characteristics for medical applications. With an introduction on the role of MAPs in human health, subsequent chapters discuss using proteomics to increase MAP yields and plant quality, genome editing, and CRISPR/Cas9. A valuable resource for farmers, scientists, chemists, biochemists, pharmacists, and students interested in medicinal and aromatic plants and plant biology, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Expanding Their Horizons through Omics ensures readers have the background knowledge to put the necessary methodologies into practice themselves. - Includes in-depth analysis of Omics technologies for the enhancement of MAPs - Discusses applications of MAPs including their role in human health Written by world-wide leading experts in the field




Plant Micronutrients


Book Description

Plants require essential nutrients (macronutrients and micronutrients) for normal functioning. Sufficiency range is the levels of nutrients necessary to meet the plant’s needs for optimal growth. This range depends on individual plant species and the particular nutrient. Nutrient levels outside of a plant’s sufficiency range cause overall crop growth and health to decline, due either to deficiency or toxicity from over-accumulation. Apart from micronutrients (B, Cl, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mo), Aluminum (Al), cerium (Ce), cobalt (Co), iodine (I), lanthanum (La), sodium (Na), selenium (Se), silicon (Si), titanium (Ti), and vanadium (V) are emerging as novel biostimulants that may enhance crop productivity and nutritional quality. These beneficial elements are not "essential" but when supplied at low dosages, they augment plant growth, development, and yield by stimulating specific molecular, biochemical, and physiological pathways in responses to challenging environments. The book is the first reference volume that approaches plant micronutrient management with the latest biotechnological and omics tools. Expertly curated chapters highlight working solutions as well as open problems and future challenges in plant micronutrient deficiency or toxicity. We believe this book will introduce readers to state-of-the-art developments and research trends in this field.




Molecular Ecotoxicology of Plants


Book Description

A well-structured and comprehensive summary of the strategies and several case studies for applying molecular plant genomics in the fields of plant ecotoxicology and plant ecology. With an increasing number of plant genome projects now being completed, there arises the need to develop plant functional genomics. The book concentrates on ecological functions and relates molecular stress responses and signalling pathways to environmental interactions. This paves the way for uncovering new mechanisms of plant fitness, population dynamics and evolution, and new possibilities for plant breeding and sustainable agriculture. Topics covered include: definition and up-scaling of molecular ecotoxicology; signalling substances, enzymes and genes involved in defence against pathogens, xenobiotics, ozone, UV-B and further environmental stressors; and manipulation of plant signal transduction by soil bacteria.




Mobile Edge Computing


Book Description

Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) provides cloud-like subscription-oriented services at the edge of mobile network. For low latency and high bandwidth services, edge computing assisted IoT (Internet of Things) has become the pillar for the development of smart environments and their applications such as smart home, smart health, smart traffic management, smart agriculture, and smart city. This book covers the fundamental concept of the MEC and its real-time applications. The book content is organized into three parts: Part A covers the architecture and working model of MEC, Part B focuses on the systems, platforms, services and issues of MEC, and Part C emphases on various applications of MEC. This book is targeted for graduate students, researchers, developers, and service providers interested in learning about the state-of-the-art in MEC technologies, innovative applications, and future research directions.




Molecular Aspects of Plant-Pathogen Interaction


Book Description

The book offers an integrated overview of plant–pathogen interactions. It discusses all the steps in the pathway, from the microbe–host-cell interface and the plant’s recognition of the microbe to the plant’s defense response and biochemical alterations to achieve tolerance / resistance. It also sheds light on the classes of pathogens (bacteria, fungus and viruses); effector molecules, such as PAMPs; receptor molecules like PRRs and NBS-LRR proteins; signaling components like MAPKs; regulatory molecules, such as phytohormones and miRNA; transcription factors, such as WRKY; defense-related proteins such as PR-proteins; and defensive metabolites like secondary metabolites. In addition, it examines the role of post-genomics, high-throughput technology (transcriptomics and proteomics) in studying pathogen outbreaks causing crop losses in a number of plants. Providing a comprehensive picture of plant-pathogen interaction, the updated information included in this book is valuable for all those involved in crop improvement.