Melatonin as Master Regulator in Plant Growth, Development and Stress Alleviator for Sustainable Agricultural Production: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Khadija Nawaz, Rimsha Chaudhary, Ayesha Sarwar, Bushra Ahmad, Asma Gul, Christophe Hano, Bilal Haider Abbasi and Sumaira Anjum
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Khadija Nawaz: Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Rimsha Chaudhary: Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Ayesha Sarwar: Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Bushra Ahmad: Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar-25000, Pakistan
Asma Gul: Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar-25000, Pakistan
Christophe Hano: Laboratoire de Biologie des Ligneux et des Grandes Cultures (LBLGC), INRAE USC1328, Université d’Orléans, 28000 Chartres, France
Bilal Haider Abbasi: Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 54000, Pakistan
Sumaira Anjum: Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore 54000, Pakistan

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-25

Abstract: Melatonin, a multifunctional signaling molecule, is ubiquitously distributed in different parts of a plant and responsible for stimulating several physiochemical responses against adverse environmental conditions in various plant systems. Melatonin acts as an indoleamine neurotransmitter and is primarily considered as an antioxidant agent that can control reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in plants. Melatonin, being a signaling agent, induces several specific physiological responses in plants that might serve to enhance photosynthesis, growth, carbon fixation, rooting, seed germination and defense against several biotic and abiotic stressors. It also works as an important modulator of gene expression related to plant hormones such as in the metabolism of indole-3-acetic acid, cytokinin, ethylene, gibberellin and auxin carrier proteins. Additionally, the regulation of stress-specific genes and the activation of pathogenesis-related protein and antioxidant enzyme genes under stress conditions make it a more versatile molecule. Because of the diversity of action of melatonin, its role in plant growth, development, behavior and regulation of gene expression it is a plant’s master regulator. This review outlines the main functions of melatonin in the physiology, growth, development and regulation of higher plants. Its role as anti-stressor agent against various abiotic stressors, such as drought, salinity, temperatures, UV radiation and toxic chemicals, is also analyzed critically. Additionally, we have also identified many new aspects where melatonin may have possible roles in plants, for example, its function in improving the storage life and quality of fruits and vegetables, which can be useful in enhancing the environmentally friendly crop production and ensuring food safety.

Keywords: melatonin; defense mechanism; gene regulation; growth; development; abiotic anti-stressor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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