Preface

Many plant hormones have been discovered since Charles and Francis Darwin initially proposed auxin activity. Their functions in the modulation of many aspects of plant growth and development (e.g., seed dormancy, seed germination, plant growth, flowering, fruit ripening, etc.) have been extensively studied since then. Plant hormones nowadays include auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, ethylene, and abscisic acid, as well as jasmonates, salicylic acid, brassinosteroids, and strigolactones, which are essential compounds with hormone-like actions in plants. These small signaling molecules not only regulate developmental and growth activities throughout the plant life cycle, but they also initiate adaptive responses in response to external stimuli like biotic and/or abiotic stresses. Each of these plant hormones has a distinct function, yet they interact with one another in complex crosstalk, either antagonistically or synergistically. While auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, brassinosteroids, and strigolactones have been identified as the key developmental growth-controlling plant hormones, stress regulation is commonly linked to abscisic acid, ethylene, jasmonates, and salicylic acid. In the recent decade, significant new insights into their actions during plant growth and development have been revealed. Plant hormones are also attractive candidates for modulating abiotic and biotic stresses. They are also useful for a variety of biotechnological applications. This book discusses recent advances, new perspectives, and applications of plant hormones. It is a useful resource for academics, scientists, students, and industry professionals.

> **Christophe Hano** Department of Biochemistry, University of Orléans, Orléans, France

Section 1
