Strigolactones: Synthesis, Application and Role in Plants

Strigolactones: Synthesis, Application and Role in Plants presents the current state of the science for this recently discovered class of plant hormones, offering foundational insights through latest developments.

Strigolactones (SLs) are derived from carotenoid metabolism and act as signaling molecules in plants and are found to be involved in many developmental processes such as seed germination, root formation, leaf senescence, nutrient uptake, reproductive maturity, and interactions of host plants with symbiotic or parasitic organisms. They also regulate developmental processes that adapt shoot and root architecture. SLs control these processes in plants by interacting with other plant hormones and signaling molecules. In addition, SLs also act as essential regulators of a plant's response to various environmental perturbations. Due to this, SLs are used in agriculture to enhance the tolerance of plants under biotic and abiotic stresses.

The first part of Strigolactones covers the structure of natural and synthetic SLs, synthesis, transport, signaling, and their application, role in the growth and development of plants like seed germination, root growth, and stem branching plant architecture. Further, the crosstalk of SLs with other plant hormones and signaling molecules are discussed. Later, the role of SLs in plant defense systems, particularly in biotic and abiotic stresses viz. heavy metals, salt, temperature, radiation, pesticide drought, and flood stress on plants and their responses are reviewed. Concluding with the latest discoveries, future perspectives, and challenges in plant biology, this book will be a valuable reference for those in plant and agricultural sciences.