Not AvailablePlant growth and productivity are stimulated by plant bio-regulators (PBRs),
which are biochemical compounds that are applied even in small quantities at
appropriate plant growth stages. To enhance the productivity, particularly, PBRs
are being extensively used in agriculture and horticultural crops. Though nutrient
allocation and source-sink transitions have their central role in plant growth and
development and, most of the PBRs stimulate redox signaling under abiotic
stress conditions. Since climate change and degrading natural resources are projected
to amplify the stresses, particularly soil moisture deficit, high temperature,
and soil salinity, PBRs are likely to play a crucial role in plant growth regulation
under these stress conditions. However, critical evaluation should consider
the utility of PBRs to enhance crop productivity under stresses induced by abiotic
factors. Research efforts so far have centered on the crop and agroecosystem
specificity, optimal doses, and schedule of their application for optimizing crop
yields under stress conditions. These efforts are being complemented by investigations
on genes and gene regulatory network at molecular level to tailor crop
plants for climate resilience. In addition to complying with regulation governing
the use of biochemicals, case studies related to crop yield in major cereals are also reported. In this chapter, prospects and pathways of PBRs are described as
an emerging stress-alleviating technology for crop production in harsh agroecosystems,
specifically those featured by drought, heat, and salinity stress.Not Availabl
