Harnessing Plant-Stimulating Molecules: Innovations in Stress Biology and Crop Resilience

Harnessing Plant-Stimulating Molecules serves as an authoritative reference on the multifaceted molecular regulators and biotechnological innovations underpinning plant resilience to environmental stressors. This volume delivers an exhaustive treatment of diverse classes of signaling entities―including phytohormones, secondary messengers, secondary messengers, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and heterotrimeric G proteins―elucidating their roles in complex stress adaptation pathways.

In addition to molecular and biochemical foundations, this book explores advanced methodologies such as nanoparticle-facilitated metabolic modulation, RNA interference, and gene-editing strategies aimed at optimizing nutrient utilization. It also highlights the emerging significance of biostimulants in modulating plant–microbe interactions and interplant signaling networks. Detailed discussions on systemic signaling mediated by mobile molecules and photoreceptor-mediated photomorphogenic responses further enrich the scope.

By integrating cutting-edge approaches, particularly CRISPR–Cas systems, with computational modeling for simulating metabolic networks, the volume facilitates accelerated crop improvement strategies essential for addressing contemporary challenges in food security and agroecosystem sustainability.

Designed as an indispensable resource for researchers, advanced graduate students, and industry professionals, Harnessing Plant-Stimulating Molecules bridges fundamental plant molecular biology with translational biotechnology, fostering the development of resilient, high-performance crops adapted to the challenges of a changing climate.

• Provides detailed graphical representations of molecular processes, signaling pathways, and regulatory networks, complemented by quantitative models and mathematical frameworks to enhance practical application and predictive accuracy
• Presents a comprehensive synthesis of contemporary insights into environment-induced perturbations and the dynamic roles of plant stimulating molecules in stress adaptation
• Identifies critical knowledge gaps and proposes targeted research directions in plant signaling biology, highlighting emerging opportunities to enhance crop resilience and promote sustainable agriculture

M. Iqbal R. Khan is an assistant professor in the Department of Botany at Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India. He also holds adjunct appointments at Korea University, South Korea, and The University of Western Australia, Australia. His research focuses on improving the resilience of major staple crops, particularly wheat, to environmental stresses associated with climate change, with broader relevance to food and nutritional security and the Sustainable Development Goals. He has published and edited extensively and has received national and international recognition for his research, including designation as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher and inclusion among the top 2% of scientists globally by Elsevier and Stanford University (2021–25). He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), in Plant and Agricultural Sciences and has received several awards for his contributions to research.

Dr. Sudhakar Reddy Palakolanu has more than 14 years of expertise in plant molecular biology, functional genomics, and gene editing. His research focuses on identifying and analyzing genes associated with complex traits using advanced molecular and biotechnological approaches. His work aims to enhance key agronomic traits in dryland crops, particularly millets, through the application of cutting-edge techniques. By integrating modern biotechnological tools, he seeks to validate candidate genes identified through trait dissection, supporting sustainable crop development. Dr. Reddy’s accomplishments have been recognized through several prestigious national awards, including the Young Scientist Award and the INSPIRE Faculty Award from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (DST-GOI). He also received a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which supported his research in Germany. In addition, he has served as a guest scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, where he worked on CRISPR–Cas9-mediated genome editing to improve rice grain quality. He has an extensive research portfolio that includes numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, books, and patents. He also serves as a reviewer for leading international journals, including Trends in Plant Science, Genome Biology, Frontiers in Plant Science, Physiologia Plantarum, Plant Cell Reports, Plant Biotechnology Journal, and BMC Plant Biology, among others.