This book provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between microbial symbionts and plants in the era of climate change. It focuses on the plant microbiome associated with different plant organs like roots, leaves, stems, fruit, and seeds, and showcases their significant role in the enhancement of crop yield and protection in a sustainable manner. Concomitantly, acumens to the most emerging trends in plant microbial research that includes rhizosphere engineering and metagenomics are also covered in this title. The association of microbial symbionts with the host offers a wide advantage in terms of acclimatization to varied environmental conditions. A large number of microbes such as cyanobacteria, PGPR, endophytes, and AMF have been shown to improve plant growth and production under the effect of various abiotic and biotic stresses. These microbial symbionts secrete several secondary metabolites, signaling molecules, and hydrolytic enzymes that play a multifarious role in improving plant growth and yield. Moreover, the symbionts have been known to regulate the host responses at the molecular level. Bioprospecting these microbial symbionts will provide an alternative to the chemical-based fertilizers and pave the path for the development of biofertilizers. The book is a suitable reading material for undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, and scientists working in the field of agricultural biotechnology, microbiology, mycology and plant pathology, and allied fields of plant and microbial sciences. The book in this context attempts to provide an integrative and exhaustive study as well as research material that would help the scientific community in wide respect.
Dr. Piyush Mathur is presently working as an assistant professor in the Department of Botany, University of North Bengal, West Bengal, India. He has been teaching for the past 6 years and has taught both at the undergraduate and post graduate level Dr. Mathur has done his PhD in botany with a specialization in mycology and plant pathology. Presently, he is supervising four PhD research scholars who are working on microbial diversity, bioprospecting, and plant disease management. He has published several papers in well-known international journals of repute. Dr. Mathur has also contributed articles as book chapters in international and national books. He has recently edited a book entitled Plant Stress: Challenges and Management in the New Decade published by Springer under ASTI series and is working on other books too with Springer. Dr. Mathur is an active member of the Society of Rapeseed Mustard Research (SRMR), Bharatpur, and Delhi University Botanical Society (DUBS) Delhi, India.
Prof. Rupam Kapoor is presently working as a senior professor in the Department of Botany, University of Delhi. She is an active researcher working in the field of plant-fungus interactions for many years. Prof. Kapoor has been listed in the global ranking of the top 2% scientist for her significant contribution for two consecutive years 2020–21. She has supervised 12 PhD theses and 10 MPhil theses, and mentored a number of MSc dissertations. She has publications in well-known peer-reviewed national and international journals of high repute. A number of articles have also been published in the form of book chapters in international and national books. She is presently serving as an associate editor of 3Biotech, an international journal from Springer. She is also working as a review editor on the editorial board of Frontiers in Plant Science – Plant Symbiotic Interactions. Prof. Kapoor is a member of various learned societies like the International Mycorrhiza Society and International Symbiosis Society as well as a life member of Mycological Society of India, Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Indian Botanical Society, and many more.
Dr. Swarnendu Roy is presently working as an assistant professor at the University of North Bengal, Siliguri, India. He has more than 12 years of teaching experience. His doctoral thesis involved understanding the mechanism of salinity stress tolerance in grasses. Dr. Roy has published more than 35 articles in reputed journals with high impact factors like Water Research, Scientific Reports, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, and Physiologia Plantarum. He has recently edited a book entitled Plant Stress: Challenges and Management in the New Decade published by Springer and also published several book chapters in edited volumes. He is presently supervising four PhD research scholars who are working on stress management in plants byengineered nanoparticles, synthesis of starch-based biofilms, and edible coatings. He received International Travel Support (ITS) from DST, Govt. of India, to present his research paper at the International Conference on Integrative Plant Physiology at Sitges, Spain. He is a life member of prestigious societies like The Indian Science Congress Association and Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India).
