Radiation-Processed Polysaccharides: Emerging Roles in Agriculture

Radiation-Processed Polysaccharides: Emerging Roles in Agriculture  is the first book to focus exclusively on this emerging and important option for reducing the overuse and negative impact of agrochemicals in agriculture. Among practices being developed for effective and eco-friendly plant growth regulators in crop production, using radiation-processed polysaccharides (RPPs) is a promising technique. Comprised of chapters from diverse areas of plant science, including agriculture, agronomy, biotechnology, nanotechnology, molecular biology, and radiation agriculture, this book provides insights into the practical application of RPPs and inspires further research toward sustainable and efficient agricultural production.

Polysaccharides (sodium alginate, carrageenan, chitosan and others) in their depolymerized state are increasingly important to agriculture based on their unique biological properties, biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity. Understanding the impact of RPPs on the plant phenotype, translocation of nutrients from source to sink, signal processing, and crosstalk helps improve the applicability of RPPs and sustainable agricultural yield.

• Presents the latest application of RPPs for improved plant production
• Includes insights for abiotic stress, biotechnology, nanotechnology and molecular application
• Explores the efficiency of natural polysaccharides as plant growth promoters

M. Naeem is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Botany at Aligarh Muslim University, India. His research focuses on escalating the production of medicinal plants and their active principles using potent PGRs under normal and stressful environmental conditions. His research also focuses on abiotic stress tolerance in medicinal plants. Dr. Naeem has published over 100 research papers in reputable international journals. He has also authored 12 books and co-authored several book chapters published by international publishers. Based on his research contributions, Dr. Naeem has received multiple awards and recognitions.

Tariq Aftab received his PhD from the Department of Botany at Aligarh Muslim University, India, where he is currently a Senior Assistant Professor. He is the recipient of a prestigious Leibniz DAAD fellowship from Germany, a Raman Fellowship from the Government of India, and Young Scientist Awards from both the State Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Government of India. He has also served as a Visiting Scientist at IPK Gatersleben, Germany, and in the Department of Plant Biology at Michigan State University, United States. Dr. Aftab has edited numerous books for major international publishers, including Elsevier, Springer Nature, and CRC Press. He has co-authored several book chapters and published extensively in peer-reviewed, international journals. His research interests include physiological, proteomic, and molecular studies on medicinal and crop plants.

Dr. M. Masroor A. Khan is a professor in the Department of Botany, AMU, Aligarh, India. After completing the PhD from AMU, he joined the Ohio State University, USA as Post-doctoral Fellow. After returning from USA, he worked as Pool Scientist (CSIR) and, later, as a Research Associate (CSIR and UGC). Thereafter, he was appointed as Assistant Professor in AMU. Prof. Khan has published eight books and about 150 research papers in internationally recognized journals. Prof. Khan contributed to the establishment of Radiation-Processed Polysaccharides (RPPs) as plant growth promoters. His research-collaboration with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai resulted in the development of specific agro-formulation, which would help the farmers to increase the productivity and active constituents of MAPs. He has published his valuable research regarding the effects of RPPs on MAPs in high impact factor journals such as Carbohydrate Polymers, Industrial Crops and Products, etc.