In the present era, rapid industrialization and urbanization has resulted in unwanted physiological, chemical, and biological changes in the environment that have harmful effects on crop quality and productivity. This situation is further worsened by the growing demand for food due to an ever increasing population. This forces plant scientists and agronomists to look forward for alternative strategies to enhance crop production and produce safer, healthier foods. Biotic and abiotic stresses are major constraints to crop productivity and have become an important challenge to agricultural scientists and agronomists due to the fact that both stress factors considerably reduce agriculture production worldwide per year. Silicon has various effects on plant growth and development, as well as crop yields. It increases photosynthetic activity, creates better disease resistance, reduces heavy metal toxicity, improves nutrient imbalance, and enhances drought tolerance. Silicon in Plants: Advances and Future Prospects presents the beneficial effects of silicon in improving productivity in plants and enhancing the capacity of plants to resist stresses from environmental factors. It compiles recent advances made worldwide in different leading laboratories concerning the role of silicon in plant biology in order to make these outcomes easily accessible to academicians, researchers, industrialists, and students. Nineteen chapters summarize information regarding the role of silicon in plants, their growth and development, physiological and molecular responses, and responses against the various abiotic stresses.

The population of the world continues to increase at an alarming rate. The trouble linked with overpopulation ranges from food and water scarcity to inadequacy of space for organisms. Overpopulation is also linked with several other demographic hazards, for instance, population blooming will not only result in exhaustion of natural repositories, but it will also induce intense pressure on the world economy. Today nanotechnology is often discussed as a key discipline of research but it has positive and negative aspects. Also, due to industrialization and ever-increasing population, nano-pollution has been an emerging topic among scientists for investigation and debate. Nanotechnology measures any substance on a macromolecular scale, molecular scale, and even atomic scale. More importantly, nanotechnology deals with the manipulation and control of any matter at the dimension of a single nanometer. Nanotechnology and nanoparticles (NPs) play important roles in sustainable development and environmental challenges as well. NPs possess both harmful and beneficial effects on the environment and its harboring components, such as microbes, plants, and humans. There are many beneficial impacts exerted by nanoparticles, however, including their role in the management of waste water and soil treatment, cosmetics, food packaging, agriculture, biomedicines, pharmaceuticals, renewable energies, and environmental remedies. Conversely, NPs also show some toxic effects on microbes, plants, as well as human beings. It has been reported that use of nanotechnological products leads to the more accumulation of NPs in soil and aquatic ecosystems, which may be detrimental for living organisms. Further, toxic effects of NPs on microbes, invertebrates, and aquatic organisms including algae, has been measured. Scientists have also reported on the negative impact of NPs on plants by discussing the delivery of NPs in plants. Additionally, scientists have also showed that NPs interact with plant cells, which results in alterations in growth, biological function, gene expression, and development. Thus, there has been much investigated and reported on NPs and plant interactions in the last decade. This book discusses the most recent work on NPs and plant interaction, which should be useful for scientists working in nanotechnology across a wide variety of disciplines.

Nanotechnology is considered as one of the emerging fields of science. It has applications in different biological and technological fields which deal with the science of materials at nanoscale (10-9). On the other hand, biotechnology is another field that deals with contemporary challenges. Nanobiotechnology fills the gap between these two fields. It merges physical, chemical, and biological principles in a single realm. This combination opens up new possibilities. At nanoscale dimensions, it creates precise nanocrystals and nanoshells. Integrated nanomaterials are used with modified surface layers for compatibility with living systems, improved dissolution in water, or biorecognition leading to enhanced end results in biotechnological systems. These nanoparticles can also be hybridized with additional biocompatible substances in order to amend their qualities to inculcate novel utilities. Nanobiotechnology is used in bioconjugate chemistry by coalescing up the functionality of non-organically obtained molecular components and biological molecules in order to veil the immunogenic moieties for targeted drug delivery, bioimaging and biosensing. This book blends the science of biology, medicine, bioinorganic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, material and physical sciences, biomedical engineering, electrical, mechanical, and chemical science to present a comprehensive range of advancements. The development of nano-based materials has made for a greater understanding of their characterization, using techniques such as transmission electron microscope, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope EDX, and so on. This volume also highlights uses in environmental remediation, environmental biosensors and environmental protection. It also emphasizes the significance of nanobiotechnology to a series of medical applications viz., diagnostics, and therapeutics stem cell technology, tissue engineering enzyme engineering, drug development and delivery. In addition this book also offers a distinctive understanding of nanobiotechnology from researchers and educators and gives a comprehensive facility for future developments and current applications of nanobiotechnology.

The Role of Growth Regulators and Phytohormones in Overcoming Environmental Stress is a comprehensive resource on all major PGRs. These include auxins, cytokinins, jasmonates, polyammines, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and more. In the last two decades, researchers have explored a lot about the roles of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in boosting the resistance of plants under stress conditions. These PGRs acts as stimulators for various physiological processes by regulating key cell signaling pathways. This title is an essential read for any scientist wanting to understand the latest advances in combatting abiotic stresses using plant growth regulators. In the present era, plants are facing a lot of challenges during their lifecycle, including growth declines due to abiotic stress. The main abiotic stresses threatening plants are water scarcity, salinity, extreme temperatures, heavy metals and pesticides. These stresses directly or indirectly cause toxicity to plants, causing hindrance to their growth and development, and ultimately reduce plant productivity.

The population of the world continues to increase at an alarming rate. The trouble linked with overpopulation ranges from food and water scarcity to inadequacy of space for organisms. Overpopulation is also linked with several other demographic hazards, for instance, population blooming will not only result in exhaustion of natural repositories, but it will also induce intense pressure on the world economy. Today nanotechnology is often discussed as a key discipline of research but it has positive and negative aspects. Also, due to industrialization and ever-increasing population, nano-pollution has been an emerging topic among scientists for investigation and debate. Nanotechnology measures any substance on a macromolecular scale, molecular scale, and even atomic scale. More importantly, nanotechnology deals with the manipulation and control of any matter at the dimension of a single nanometer. Nanotechnology and nanoparticles (NPs) play important roles in sustainable development and environmental challenges as well. NPs possess both harmful and beneficial effects on the environment and its harboring components, such as microbes, plants, and humans. There are many beneficial impacts exerted by nanoparticles, however, including their role in the management of waste water and soil treatment, cosmetics, food packaging, agriculture, biomedicines, pharmaceuticals, renewable energies, and environmental remedies. Conversely, NPs also show some toxic effects on microbes, plants, as well as human beings. It has been reported that use of nanotechnological products leads to the more accumulation of NPs in soil and aquatic ecosystems, which may be detrimental for living organisms. Further, toxic effects of NPs on microbes, invertebrates, and aquatic organisms including algae, has been measured. Scientists have also reported on the negative impact of NPs on plants by discussing the delivery of NPs in plants. Additionally, scientists have also showed that NPs interact with plant cells, which results in alterations in growth, biological function, gene expression, and development. Thus, there has been much investigated and reported on NPs and plant interactions in the last decade. This book discusses the most recent work on NPs and plant interaction, which should be useful for scientists working in nanotechnology across a wide variety of disciplines.

Hydrogen Sulfide in Plant Biology: Past and Present includes 17 chapters, with topics from cross-talk and lateral root development under stress, to post-translational modifications and disease resistance. With emerging research on the different roles and applications of H2S, this title compiles the latest advances of this key signaling molecule. The development of a plant requires complex signaling of various molecules like H2S in order to achieve regulated and proper development, hence hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has emerged as an important signaling molecule that regulates nearly each and every stage of a plant's lifecycle. Edited by leading experts in the field, this is a must-read for scientists and researchers interested in plant physiology, biochemistry and ecology.

Abiotic Stress and Legumes: Tolerance and Management is the first book to focus on the ability of legume plants to adapt effectively to environmental challenges. Using the -omic approach, this book takes a targeted approach to understanding the methods and means of ensuring survival and maximizing the productivity of the legume plant by improving tolerance to environmental /abiotic stress factors including drought, temperature change, and other challenges. The book presents a comprehensive overview of the progress that has been made in identifying means of managing abiotic stress effects, specifically in legumes, including the development of several varieties which exhibit tolerance through high yield using transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic and ionomic approaches. Further, exogenous application of various stimulants such as plant hormones, nutrients, sugars, and polyamines has emerged as an alternative strategy to improve productivity under these environmental challenges. Abiotic Stress and Legumes: Tolerance and Management examines these emerging strategies and serves as an important resource for researchers, academicians and scientists, enhancing their knowledge and aiding further research.

Plant Life under Changing Environment: Responses and Management presents the latest insights, reflecting the significant progress that has been made in understanding plant responses to various changing environmental impacts, as well as strategies for alleviating their adverse effects, including abiotic stresses. Growing from a focus on plants and their ability to respond, adapt, and survive, Plant Life under Changing Environment: Responses and Management addresses options for mitigating those responses to ensure maximum health and growth. Researchers and advanced students in environmental sciences, plant ecophysiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, nano-pollution climate change, and soil pollution will find this an important foundational resource.

Nanotechnology is considered as one of the emerging fields of science. It has applications in different biological and technological fields which deal with the science of materials at nanoscale (10-9). On the other hand, biotechnology is another field that deals with contemporary challenges. Nanobiotechnology fills the gap between these two fields. It merges physical, chemical, and biological principles in a single realm. This combination opens up new possibilities. At nanoscale dimensions, it creates precise nanocrystals and nanoshells. Integrated nanomaterials are used with modified surface layers for compatibility with living systems, improved dissolution in water, or biorecognition leading to enhanced end results in biotechnological systems. These nanoparticles can also be hybridized with additional biocompatible substances in order to amend their qualities to inculcate novel utilities. Nanobiotechnology is used in bioconjugate chemistry by coalescing up the functionality of non-organically obtained molecular components and biological molecules in order to veil the immunogenic moieties for targeted drug delivery, bioimaging and biosensing. This book blends the science of biology, medicine, bioinorganic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, material and physical sciences, biomedical engineering, electrical, mechanical, and chemical science to present a comprehensive range of advancements. The development of nano-based materials has made for a greater understanding of their characterization, using techniques such as transmission electron microscope, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope EDX, and so on. This volume also highlights uses in environmental remediation, environmental biosensors and environmental protection. It also emphasizes the significance of nanobiotechnology to a series of medical applications viz., diagnostics, and therapeutics stem cell technology, tissue engineering enzyme engineering, drug development and delivery. In addition this book also offers a distinctive understanding of nanobiotechnology from researchers and educators and gives a comprehensive facility for future developments and current applications of nanobiotechnology.

Nitric Oxide in Plant Biology: An Ancient Molecule with Emerging Roles is an extensive volume which provides a broad and detailed overview of Nitric Oxide (NO) in plant biology. The book covers the entirety of the crucial role NO plays in the plant lifecycle, from the regulation of seed germination and growth to synthesis, nitrogen fixation and stress response. Beginning with NO production and NO homeostasis, Nitric Oxide in Plant Biology goes on to cover a variety of NO roles, with a focus on NO signalling, crosstalk and stress responses. Edited by leading experts in the field and featuring the latest research from laboratories from across the globe, it is a comprehensive resource of interest to students and researchers working in plant physiology, agriculture, biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Nanomaterials in Plants, Algae and Microorganisms: Concepts and Controversies: Volume 2 not only covers all the new technologies used in the synthesis of nanoparticles, it also tests their response on plants, algae and micro-organisms in aquatic ecosystems. Unlike most works in the field, the book doesn't focus exclusively on the higher organisms. Instead, it explores the smaller life forms on which they feed. Topics include the impacts of plant development, how different nanoparticles are absorbed by biota, the impact different metals-including silver and rare earth metals-have on living organisms, and the effects nanoparticles have on aquatic ecosystems as a whole. As nanotechnology based products have become a trillion-dollar industry, there is a need to understand the implications to the health of our biota and ecosystems as the earth is increasingly inundated with these materials.

Plant Metabolites and Regulation Under Environmental Stress presents the latest research on both primary and secondary metabolites. The book sheds light on the metabolic pathways of primary and secondary metabolites, the role of these metabolites in plants, and the environmental impact on the regulation of these metabolites. Users will find a comprehensive, practical reference that aids researchers in their understanding of the role of plant metabolites in stress tolerance.

Nanomaterials in Plants, Algae and Microorganisms: Concepts and Controversies: Volume One discusses the vast amount of nanomaterials that have been released into the environment in a relatively short amount of time. There is a need to understand what the implications to the health of our biota and ecosystems are as the earth is increasingly inundated with these materials. Not all of the effects are negative, but their impacts are increasing exponentially due to their size, quantity and other factors.

In the present era, rapid industrialization and urbanization has resulted in unwanted physiological, chemical, and biological changes in the environment that have harmful effects on crop quality and productivity. This situation is further worsened by the growing demand for food due to an ever increasing population. This forces plant scientists and agronomists to look forward for alternative strategies to enhance crop production and produce safer, healthier foods. Biotic and abiotic stresses are major constraints to crop productivity and have become an important challenge to agricultural scientists and agronomists due to the fact that both stress factors considerably reduce agriculture production worldwide per year. Silicon has various effects on plant growth and development, as well as crop yields. It increases photosynthetic activity, creates better disease resistance, reduces heavy metal toxicity, improves nutrient imbalance, and enhances drought tolerance. Silicon in Plants: Advances and Future Prospects presents the beneficial effects of silicon in improving productivity in plants and enhancing the capacity of plants to resist stresses from environmental factors. It compiles recent advances made worldwide in different leading laboratories concerning the role of silicon in plant biology in order to make these outcomes easily accessible to academicians, researchers, industrialists, and students. Nineteen chapters summarize information regarding the role of silicon in plants, their growth and development, physiological and molecular responses, and responses against the various abiotic stresses.