Nitric oxide (NO) is a free-radical gasotransmitter signaling molecule associated with a varied spectrum of signal transduction pathways linked to inducing cross-adaptation against abiotic stresses. It has crucial roles from seed germination to plant maturity, depending upon its cellular concentration. The functional cross-talk of NO among different stress signaling cascades leads to alteration in the expression of developmental genes that regulate biosynthesis and function of plant growth regulators (PGRs). NO-PGRs and secondary signaling compounds cross-talk trigger reprogramming of stress-responsive gene expressions, transcriptional gene modulations, redox regulating machinery, oxidative metabolisms, and multiple regulatory pathways under plant abiotic stress. Recent findings suggest NO as critical components of numerous plant signaling network that interplays with auxin, gibberellins (GA), abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene (ET), jasmonic acid (JA), brassinosteroids (BRs), H 2 O 2 , melatonin, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), salicylic acid (SA), and other PGRs to modulate growth and development under multiple stresses. Considering the importance of NO signaling crosstalk under stress adaptation, in this review, we point out the biosynthesis and metabolism of NO and its crosstalk with numerous other signaling compounds. Further, recent cellular and molecular advances in NO signaling cross-talk under abiotic stress adaptations also have been discussed.
Burgeoning the human population with its required food demand created a burden on ever-decreasing cultivated land and our food production systems. This situation prompted plant scientists to breed crops in a short duration with specific traits. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) has emerged as a potential tool to achieve desirable results in plants with the help of molecular markers and improves the traits of interest in a short duration. The MAS has comprehensively been used in plant breeding to characterize germplasm, diversity analysis, trait stacking, gene pyramiding, multi-trait introgression, and genetic purity of different cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and fiber crops, etc. Mapping studies pointed out several marker-trait associations from different crop species, which specifies the potential application of MAS in accelerating crop improvement. This chapter presents an overview of molecular markers, their genesis, and potential use in plant breeding.
Brassica spp., commonly known as rapeseed-mustard, plays a significant role in the Indian economy by providing edible oils, vegetables, condiments and animal feed. Globally, India holds second and third position in rapeseed-mustard area under cultivation and production, respectively. However, anthropogenically accelerated climate change thwarts yield potential of rapeseed-mustard by employing abiotic (drought, flood, temperature variation and salinity) and biotic (disease and insects) stresses. Various approaches such as molecular breeding, pre-breeding, −omics and biotechnological interventions have been used to develop varieties for improved yield and oil quality, climate resilient and resistance or tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this context, this chapter highlighted the different cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) sources and their potential use for hybrid development. At the end, this chapter also enlisted salient achievement by the government and non-government institutes and briefly described the future perspective for improvement of rapeseed-mustard in India.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.