Strigolactones - Biology and Applications

Description

This book describes the exciting biology and chemistry of strigolactones. Outgrowth of shoot branches? Development of lateral roots? Interactions with beneficial microorganisms? Avoiding parasitic plants? Responding to drought conditions? These important “decisions” that plants make are all regulated by a group of hormones called strigolactones. The latest research has yielded a number of new biological concepts, such as a redefinition of plant hormones and their crosstalk, new functional diversity of receptors, hormonal “smoke and mirrors,” core signaling pathways, and even phloem transport of receptor proteins. Another important aspect of strigolactones is the related synthetic chemistry, which could pave the way for a variety of potential applications in agriculture and medicine. The book explains in detail the role that strigolactones play in plant development, and addresses the interaction of plants with soil biota and abiotic stress conditions, prospects of strigolactone biochemistry and evolution, and chemical synthesis of natural strigolactones and analogs, together with their potential applications. Including a glossary and end-of-chapter synopses to aid in comprehension, it offers a valuable asset for teachers, lecturers and (post-) graduate students in biology, agronomy and related areas.. Front Matter ....Pages i-xv Strigolactone Biosynthesis and Signal Transduction (Kun-Peng Jia, Changsheng Li, Harro J. Bouwmeester, Salim Al-Babili)....Pages 1-45 Strigolactones as Plant Hormones (Catherine Rameau, Sofie Goormachtig, Francesca Cardinale, Tom Bennett, Pilar Cubas)....Pages 47-87 Strigolactones and Parasitic Plants (Maurizio Vurro, Angela Boari, Benjamin Thiombiano, Harro Bouwmeester)....Pages 89-120 The Role of Strigolactones in Plant–Microbe Interactions (Soizic Rochange, Sofie Goormachtig, Juan Antonio Lopez-Raez, Caroline Gutjahr)....Pages 121-142 Evolution of Strigolactone Biosynthesis and Signalling (Sandrine Bonhomme, Mark Waters)....Pages 143-161 The Chemistry of Strigolactones (Cristina Prandi, Christopher S. P. McErlean)....Pages 163-198