Melatonin: Signal Transduction Mechanisms and Defense Networks in Plants

This edited volume presents cutting-edge insights into the multifaceted roles of melatonin in improving plant resilience to both biotic and abiotic stresses. It brings together recent advances in understanding how melatonin regulates signal transduction pathways to modulate plant growth and development under challenging environmental conditions.

The chapters explore melatonin's involvement in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species signaling, its interaction with heat shock proteins, regulation of ionic homeostasis, and its cross-talk with key phytohormones. The book also examines its efficacy in mitigating drought, salinity, heat, and heavy metal stress.

A valuable resource for researchers, agronomists, and policymakers, this book combines scientific depth with practical relevance. It bridges the gap between theoretical research and practical applications, making it an essential resource for those seeking to enhance crop performance and resilience in the face of climate change and environmental pressures.

Dr. Rahul Kumar Tiwari, a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, is currently researching sustainable phytoprotectants-mediated mitigation of soil and seedborne diseases and physiological disorders in crop plants. He has also worked on the signaling mechanisms of pathogens, pathogenomics, and the management of hemibiotrophic fungi. Additionally, he has explored the genetic diversity of pathogenic microbes in field and horticultural crops. His research interests also include various aspects of pathophysiological alterations in food crops under the influence of diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. He has published more than 80 research articles, review articles, book chapters and popular articles in nationally and internationally reputed journals.

Dr. Milan Kumar Lal, a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology, focuses on abiotic stress and the nutritional aspects of potatoes and other starchy crops. He is an expert in the field of abiotic stress, such as heat, drought, salinity, and heavy metals. Additionally, he is researching the effects of biotic stresses such as fungi, viruses, and bacteria on plant physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses. He also specializes in the nutritional and quality aspects of starchy crops, including resistant starch, glycemic index, phytonutrients, functional fermented foods and beverages, bioactive compounds, and various processing techniques to enhance these components in starchy crop-based food products. His work has resulted in more than 90 publications in international peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Ravinder Kumar, Ph.D., a Senior Scientist in Plant Pathology, has over 15 years of research experience in managing biotic and abiotic stresses in plants, particularly in potato biotechnology. His work includes the formulation of dsRNA for late blight, the development of transgenic lines with ToLCNDV resistance, and potato genetic resource management. He has developed several diagnostic tools, including uniplex/multiplex RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, LAMP, and RT-RPA protocols for the detection of potato pathogens, as well as the molecular characterization and genome sequencing of plant pathogens. He has published over 120 research papers, review articles in national and international peer-reviewed journals, along with training manuals, and book chapters. He has also served as editor of institutional publications such as newsletters and annual reports. Dr. Kumar has received several awards, including the IPA-Kaushalya Sikka Memorial Award, Chandra Prabha Singh Young Scientist Award, Young Scientist Associate Award, and best oral/poster awards from various scientific and professional societies.

Dr. Muhammad Ahsan Altaf earned his Ph.D. from the School of Life Science at Hainan University in China. Following that, he completed his post-doctoral studies at the School of Horticulture, at Hainan University. Currently, he holds the position of Scientific Researcher at the School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication) Hainan University, Sanya, China. He published 22 articles as first author, 15 article as corresponding authors, 50 research articles as co-author in top leading journals of the world, having high impact factor. In addition, he published 18 books chapter as first-, co-, and corresponding-author. Further, he also published two books as an editor with the international publisher Springer Nature. His research interests are focused on the physiological, biochemical, and molecular aspects of horticultural plants. He is particularly engaged in investigating the role of melatonin in photosynthetic efficiency and mineral nutrient uptake from root to shoot under abiotic stress conditions.