The entire range of the developmental process in plants is regulated by a shift in the hormonal concentration, tissue sensitivity and their interaction with the factors operating around the plants. Phytohormones play a crucial role in regulating the direction of plant in a coordinated fashion in association with metabolism that provides energy and the building blocks to generate the form that we recognize as a plant. Out of the recognized hormones, attention has largely been focused on Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Abscisic acid, Ethylene and more recently on Brassinosteroids. In this book we are providing the information about a brassinosteroids that again confirm its status as phytohormones because it has significant impact on various aspects of the plant life and its ubiquitous distribution throughout the plant kingdom. Brassinosteroids are generating a significant impact on plant growth and development, photosynthesis, transpiration, ion uptake and transport, induces specific changes in leaf anatomy and chloroplast structure. This book is not an encyclopedia of reviews but includes a selected collection of newly written, integrated, illustrated reviews describing our knowledge of brassinosteroids. The aim of this book is to tell all about brassinosteroids, by the present time. The various chapters incorporate both theoretical and practical aspects and may serve as baseline information for future researches through which significant development is possible. It is intended that this book will be useful to the students, teachers and researchers, both in universities and research institutes, especially in relation to biological and agricultural sciences.

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.