Melatonin in Horticultural Plants
A Multifunctional Molecule for Abiotic Stress Tolerance
- 1st Edition - November 1, 2025
- Latest edition
- Editors: Muhammad Ahsan Altaf, Ravinder Kumar, Rahul Kumar Tiwari, Milan Kumar Lal
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 3 3 8 5 1 - 9
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 3 3 8 5 2 - 6
Melatonin in Horticultural Plants: A Multifunctional Molecule for Abiotic Stress Tolerance consolidates insights from leading experts on the morphological, physiological… Read more
Melatonin in Horticultural Plants: A Multifunctional Molecule for Abiotic Stress Tolerance consolidates insights from leading experts on the morphological, physiological, and biochemical processes triggered by the application of melatonin, ultimately resulting in enhanced crop tolerance to abiotic stresses.
This book provides an in-depth analysis of various abiotic stressors affecting horticultural crops, detailing how they impact plant growth and development, from seedling establishment to senescence, as well as their influence on yield and quality. It explores how melatonin regulates these responses through chemical signaling and highlights its role in coordinating signal transduction pathways at physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels, offering a comprehensive understanding of its potential in agriculture.
Beyond its theoretical foundations, the volume considers how these findings can be translated into real-world strategies. This includes practical approaches such as the use of biostimulants, hormones, novel chemicals, and microorganisms to effectively harness melatonin’s benefits in horticultural production. Designed to support researchers, plant biologists, and horticulturists, it aims to foster innovation and facilitate sustainable advancements in horticultural science, contributing to the development of resilient crops capable of thriving despite changing climate conditions and disruptive anthropogenic activities.
This book provides an in-depth analysis of various abiotic stressors affecting horticultural crops, detailing how they impact plant growth and development, from seedling establishment to senescence, as well as their influence on yield and quality. It explores how melatonin regulates these responses through chemical signaling and highlights its role in coordinating signal transduction pathways at physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels, offering a comprehensive understanding of its potential in agriculture.
Beyond its theoretical foundations, the volume considers how these findings can be translated into real-world strategies. This includes practical approaches such as the use of biostimulants, hormones, novel chemicals, and microorganisms to effectively harness melatonin’s benefits in horticultural production. Designed to support researchers, plant biologists, and horticulturists, it aims to foster innovation and facilitate sustainable advancements in horticultural science, contributing to the development of resilient crops capable of thriving despite changing climate conditions and disruptive anthropogenic activities.
- Examines the mechanisms by which melatonin enhances crop resilience to abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, extreme temperatures, and heavy metal toxicity
- Delivers a detailed analysis of melatonin’s influence on plant growth, secondary metabolite production, and postharvest quality
- Presents practical strategies and case studies for integrating melatonin into sustainable agricultural practices to improve crop performance under environmental challenges
Researchers, academics, and advanced students in agriculture and plant science fields.
1. Abiotic stress effects on performance of horticultural crops
I. Introduction
II. Controlled abiotic stress management for horticultural crop production
III. Regulation of oxidative stress in horticultural crops
IV. Types of abiotic stresses
V. Salinity
VI. Drought
VII. Heat
VIII. Cold
IX. Heavy metals
X. Conclusion
2. Melatonin: Biosynthesis, content, and function in horticultural plants and potential application
I. Introduction
II. Synthetic pathway of melatonin in horticultural plants
III. Regulatory genes involved in melatonin reaction pathway
IV. Content and distribution of melatonin in horticultural plants
V. Effect of melatonin on horticultural plants and the underlying mechanism
VI. Endogenous melatonin in horticultural plants
VII. The versatility of melatonin synthetic enzymes in horticultural plants
VIII. Melatonin metabolism in horticultural plants and the evolutionary consequences
IX. Conclusion and future perspectives
3. Melatonin-mediated photosynthetic performance of horticultural plants under abiotic stress
I. Introduction
II. Role of melatonin in photosynthesis
III. How melatonin influences photosynthesis
IV. How melatonin enhances photosynthesis in horticultural plants
V. Effect of melatonin on photosynthetic productivity
VI. Melatonin-mediated regulation of respiration
VII. Effect of melatonin on photosynthetic and respiratory pigments
VIII. Impact of melatonin on chlorophyll and carotenoids levels
IX. Factors influencing melatonin effects on photosynthetic pigments
X. Conclusion and future perspectives
4. Melatonin-modified root architecture system and accelerated mineral nutrient fluxes of horticultural plant under abiotic stresses
I. Introduction
II. What is root architecture?
III. Nutritional effects on root architecture
IV. Melatonin effect on root architecture
V. Effects of nutrient availability on epidermal differentiation
VI. Effects of nutrient availability on root growth and lateral root development
VII. Role of melatonin in the regulation of root architecture and nutrient uptake
VIII. Nutrient ions as signaling molecules for the regulation of root development
IX. Conclusion
5. Melatonin: Awakening the defense mechanisms during horticultural plant oxidative stress
I. Introduction
II. Reactive oxygen species and the plant antioxidant defense system
III. Role of endogenous melatonin in the plant oxidative stress system
IV. Exogenous melatonin with plant antioxidant enzymes
V. Exogenous melatonin and enzymes involved in the AsA-GSH cycle
VI. Melatonin and non-enzymatic antioxidants in horticultural plants
VII. Future prospects
6. Melatonin: A small molecule but important for salt stress tolerance in horticultural plants
I. A brief introduction to salinity and its effects
II. Function and mechanism of melatonin effects on plant salt tolerance
III. The role of melatonin in salinity stress signaling
IV. Melatonin promotes ion homeostasis under salt stress
V. Melatonin regulates plant hormones metabolism
VI. Melatonin balanced mineral homeostasis in horticultural plants under salinity
VII. Conclusions and future perspectives
7. Emerging roles of melatonin in mitigating drought stress of horticultural plants
I. Introduction
II. Drought stress and its impacts on plant physiology
III. Role of melatonin in regulation of plant physiology
IV. Functions of exogenous melatonin under salt stress
V. Melatonin-mediated regulation of plant biology under drought stress
VI. Melatonin-induced waterlogging stress tolerance
VII. Conclusions and perspectives
8. Melatonin as a new player in the battle against cold stress in horticultural plants
I. Introduction
II. Effect of cold stress on horticultural plants
III. Melatonin as cold stress reliever
IV. Potential of melatonin in managing cold stress in horticultural plants
V. Melatonin regulated photosynthetic mechanism in horticultural plants
VI. Melatonin upregulated secondary metabolites production under cold stress
VII. Conclusion and perspectives
9. Melatonin: A vital protectant for horticultural crops against heat stress -- Mechanisms and prospects
I. Introduction
II. Horticultural plant responses to heat stress
III. Heat stress-induced melatonin biosynthesis in horticultural plants
IV. Melatonin a promising molecule to improve heat stress tolerance in plants
V. Photosynthetic regulation by melatonin under heat stress
VI. Success stories of engineering melatonin to improve heat tolerance
VII. Conclusion and perspectives
10. Melatonin: A promising approach to enhance heavy metals stress tolerance in horticultural plants
I. Introduction
II. Mechanism of heavy metal-induced growth inhibition
III. Heavy metal-induced endogenous melatonin accumulation in horticultural plants
IV. Role of exogenous melatonin on heavy metal stress tolerance
V. Mechanisms of melatonin-mediated heavy metal stress tolerance
VI. Endogenous melatonin in heavy metals stress tolerance
VII. Conclusions and future perspectives
11. Melatonin interaction with other phytohormones in regulation of abiotic stresses in horticultural plants
I. Introduction
II. Role of melatonin in plant growth and development
III. Crosstalk between melatonin and other phytohormones
IV. Melatonin and auxin
V. Melatonin and gibberellic acids
VI. Melatonin and cytokinins
VII. Melatonin and abscisic acid
VIII. Melatonin and ethylene
IX. Melatonin and salicylic acid
X. Melatonin and jasmonic acid
XI. Melatonin receptors and signaling in plants
XII. Conclusions and future prospects
12. Functions of melatonin during postharvest of horticultural crops
I. Introduction
II. Influence the melatonin content in horticultural crops
III. Regulation of melatonin on the maturation and aging of horticultural crops
IV. The influence of melatonin on post-harvest preservation of horticultural crops
V. The impact of melatonin on postharvest quality of horticultural crops
VI. Melatonin and fruit ripening: a complex plant signal interaction
VII. Melatonin delays horticultural crop senescence
VIII. Melatonin improves the nutritional quality of horticultural crops
IX. Melatonin treatment palliates chilling injury in horticultural crops
I. Conclusions and future prospects
I. Introduction
II. Controlled abiotic stress management for horticultural crop production
III. Regulation of oxidative stress in horticultural crops
IV. Types of abiotic stresses
V. Salinity
VI. Drought
VII. Heat
VIII. Cold
IX. Heavy metals
X. Conclusion
2. Melatonin: Biosynthesis, content, and function in horticultural plants and potential application
I. Introduction
II. Synthetic pathway of melatonin in horticultural plants
III. Regulatory genes involved in melatonin reaction pathway
IV. Content and distribution of melatonin in horticultural plants
V. Effect of melatonin on horticultural plants and the underlying mechanism
VI. Endogenous melatonin in horticultural plants
VII. The versatility of melatonin synthetic enzymes in horticultural plants
VIII. Melatonin metabolism in horticultural plants and the evolutionary consequences
IX. Conclusion and future perspectives
3. Melatonin-mediated photosynthetic performance of horticultural plants under abiotic stress
I. Introduction
II. Role of melatonin in photosynthesis
III. How melatonin influences photosynthesis
IV. How melatonin enhances photosynthesis in horticultural plants
V. Effect of melatonin on photosynthetic productivity
VI. Melatonin-mediated regulation of respiration
VII. Effect of melatonin on photosynthetic and respiratory pigments
VIII. Impact of melatonin on chlorophyll and carotenoids levels
IX. Factors influencing melatonin effects on photosynthetic pigments
X. Conclusion and future perspectives
4. Melatonin-modified root architecture system and accelerated mineral nutrient fluxes of horticultural plant under abiotic stresses
I. Introduction
II. What is root architecture?
III. Nutritional effects on root architecture
IV. Melatonin effect on root architecture
V. Effects of nutrient availability on epidermal differentiation
VI. Effects of nutrient availability on root growth and lateral root development
VII. Role of melatonin in the regulation of root architecture and nutrient uptake
VIII. Nutrient ions as signaling molecules for the regulation of root development
IX. Conclusion
5. Melatonin: Awakening the defense mechanisms during horticultural plant oxidative stress
I. Introduction
II. Reactive oxygen species and the plant antioxidant defense system
III. Role of endogenous melatonin in the plant oxidative stress system
IV. Exogenous melatonin with plant antioxidant enzymes
V. Exogenous melatonin and enzymes involved in the AsA-GSH cycle
VI. Melatonin and non-enzymatic antioxidants in horticultural plants
VII. Future prospects
6. Melatonin: A small molecule but important for salt stress tolerance in horticultural plants
I. A brief introduction to salinity and its effects
II. Function and mechanism of melatonin effects on plant salt tolerance
III. The role of melatonin in salinity stress signaling
IV. Melatonin promotes ion homeostasis under salt stress
V. Melatonin regulates plant hormones metabolism
VI. Melatonin balanced mineral homeostasis in horticultural plants under salinity
VII. Conclusions and future perspectives
7. Emerging roles of melatonin in mitigating drought stress of horticultural plants
I. Introduction
II. Drought stress and its impacts on plant physiology
III. Role of melatonin in regulation of plant physiology
IV. Functions of exogenous melatonin under salt stress
V. Melatonin-mediated regulation of plant biology under drought stress
VI. Melatonin-induced waterlogging stress tolerance
VII. Conclusions and perspectives
8. Melatonin as a new player in the battle against cold stress in horticultural plants
I. Introduction
II. Effect of cold stress on horticultural plants
III. Melatonin as cold stress reliever
IV. Potential of melatonin in managing cold stress in horticultural plants
V. Melatonin regulated photosynthetic mechanism in horticultural plants
VI. Melatonin upregulated secondary metabolites production under cold stress
VII. Conclusion and perspectives
9. Melatonin: A vital protectant for horticultural crops against heat stress -- Mechanisms and prospects
I. Introduction
II. Horticultural plant responses to heat stress
III. Heat stress-induced melatonin biosynthesis in horticultural plants
IV. Melatonin a promising molecule to improve heat stress tolerance in plants
V. Photosynthetic regulation by melatonin under heat stress
VI. Success stories of engineering melatonin to improve heat tolerance
VII. Conclusion and perspectives
10. Melatonin: A promising approach to enhance heavy metals stress tolerance in horticultural plants
I. Introduction
II. Mechanism of heavy metal-induced growth inhibition
III. Heavy metal-induced endogenous melatonin accumulation in horticultural plants
IV. Role of exogenous melatonin on heavy metal stress tolerance
V. Mechanisms of melatonin-mediated heavy metal stress tolerance
VI. Endogenous melatonin in heavy metals stress tolerance
VII. Conclusions and future perspectives
11. Melatonin interaction with other phytohormones in regulation of abiotic stresses in horticultural plants
I. Introduction
II. Role of melatonin in plant growth and development
III. Crosstalk between melatonin and other phytohormones
IV. Melatonin and auxin
V. Melatonin and gibberellic acids
VI. Melatonin and cytokinins
VII. Melatonin and abscisic acid
VIII. Melatonin and ethylene
IX. Melatonin and salicylic acid
X. Melatonin and jasmonic acid
XI. Melatonin receptors and signaling in plants
XII. Conclusions and future prospects
12. Functions of melatonin during postharvest of horticultural crops
I. Introduction
II. Influence the melatonin content in horticultural crops
III. Regulation of melatonin on the maturation and aging of horticultural crops
IV. The influence of melatonin on post-harvest preservation of horticultural crops
V. The impact of melatonin on postharvest quality of horticultural crops
VI. Melatonin and fruit ripening: a complex plant signal interaction
VII. Melatonin delays horticultural crop senescence
VIII. Melatonin improves the nutritional quality of horticultural crops
IX. Melatonin treatment palliates chilling injury in horticultural crops
I. Conclusions and future prospects
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: November 1, 2025
- Language: English
MA
Muhammad Ahsan Altaf
Dr. Altaf earned his Ph.D. from the School of Life Science at Hainan University in China. Following that, he completed his post-doctoral studies at the School of Horticulture, also at Hainan University. Currently, he holds the position of Scientific Researcher at the School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication) Hainan University, Sanya, China. His research interests are focused on the physiological, biochemical, and molecular aspects of horticultural plants. He is particularly engaged in investigating the role of melatonin in photosynthetic efficiency and mineral nutrient uptake from root to shoot under abiotic stress conditions. At present, Dr. Altaf serves as an editorial board member and reviewer of several high-impact international scientific journals.
Affiliations and expertise
Hainan University, School of Breeding and Multiplication, ChinaRK
Ravinder Kumar
Dr. Ravinder Kumar, Ph.D., Senior Scientist (Plant Pathology), ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India has over 15 years of research experience on biotic and abiotic stresses management in plant, potato biotechnology, particularly formulation of dsRNA for late blight, development of transgenic lines with ToLCNDV resistance, potato genetic resource management, developed several diagnostic tools like uniplex/multiplex RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, LAMP, and RT-RPA protocols for the detection of potato pathogens, molecular characterization and genome sequencing of plant pathogens. He has published over 120 research papers/reviews articles in national/international peer-reviewed journals, training manuals and book chapters, edited Institute publications like newsletters and annual reports. He is the recipient of Awards like IPA-Kaushalya Sikka Memorial Award, Chandra Prabha Singh Young Scientist Award, Young Scientist Associate award, best oral/poster awards of different scientific professional societies.
Affiliations and expertise
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, IndiaRK
Rahul Kumar Tiwari
Dr Rahul Kumar Tiwari, a doctor in Plant Pathology, works as a scientist at Central Potato Research Institute Shimla, India. He is currently working on melatonin-mediated mitigation of soil and tuber-borne diseases and physiological disorders in crop plants. He has also worked on signalling mechanism of pathogens, pathogenomics and management of hemibiotrophic fungi. He has explored the genetic diversity of pathogenic microbes in field and horticultural crops. Additionally, his area of interest is on multiple aspects of pathophysiological alterations in food crops under the influence of diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. He has published more than 40 publications in national and internationally reputed journal.
Affiliations and expertise
ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, IndiaMK
Milan Kumar Lal
Dr. Milan Kumar Lal, Doctor in Plant Physiology, working in the area of abiotic, abiotic stress and nutritional aspect of potato and other starchy crops at ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, India. He is an expert worker in the area of abiotic stress such as heat, drought salinity and heavy metal. Moreover, he is also working on the aspect of the effect of biotic stress such as fungus, virus and bacteria on plant physiological, biochemical and molecular responses. Apart from this, he also has expertise in the nutritional and quality aspects of starchy crops, including resistant starch, glycemic index, phytonutrients, functional fermented foods and beverages, bioactive compounds, and various processing techniques to enhance these components in food products of starchy crops. His findings have generated more than 90 publications in the international peer-reviewed journal.
Affiliations and expertise
ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India