Molecular Studies and Metabolic Engineering of Phytohormones for Abiotic Stress Tolerance

Agricultural productivity across the world is affected by varied abiotic stresses, which require the development of crops tolerant to unfavorable conditions without considerable yield loss. In recent times, considerable importance has been given to phytohormones because of their versatile functions in plant responses to environmental constraints and for their role in the regulation and coordination of the growth and development of plants. Research on phytohormones has shed light on the role of classical and new members of phytohormones in alleviating the harmful effects of abiotic stresses on crop plants, so understanding phytohormone metabolism and its engineering could be a potent and novel approach for developing climate-resilient crops. The present chapter presents a short description of classical and new members of phytohormones and their role in alleviating varied abiotic stresses. Furthermore, molecular and genetic engineering efforts undertaken for the development of crops tolerant to abiotic stresses are also presented along with research gaps and challenges for the utilization of phytohormones for the development of abiotic stress-tolerant plants. 

Keywords: Auxins, Brassinosteroids, Phytohormones, Phytohormone engineering, Salicylic acid, Strigolactones.