Phytomelatonin: Regulating Development and Stress Protection in Plants

This book brings together the latest research on how phytomelatonin functions as a multitasking molecule, linking plant metabolism, hormonal signaling, and environmental response mechanisms. The book offers a unique synthesis of molecular, physiological, and applied perspectives.

Chirag Maheshwari serves as a scientist at the Division of Biochemistry, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute located in New Delhi. His present research pursuits encompass the exploration of both physiological and molecular mechanisms that underlie abiotic stress in plants. Additionally, he is engrossed in analyzing crop nutritional profiles when subjected to stress conditions. He boasts a publication record of approximately 20 research and review articles in esteemed, peer-reviewed international journals, alongside over twenty contributions to book chapters. Furthermore, his accomplishments have been recognized with several accolades, including the Young Scientist Award from SPBB in collaboration with Springer, Best Poster Award, and others. He has published numerous peer-reviewed research articles, book chapters, and popular articles, and continues actively contributing to scientific advancements. They remain deeply committed to promoting sustainable agriculture through innovation and research.

Muzaffar Hasan is a Scientist at ICAR-Central Institute of Agriculture Engineering, Bhopal, India. He received his B.Sc. degree from the G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttarakhand, India, and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. He began his scientific career in the Agro Produce Processing Division at ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal 2016, and moved to the Centre of Excellence on Soybean Processing and Utilization at ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal, in 2022. During his 08 years at ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal, he taught courses ranging from basic biochemistry to food processing. His initial research focused on the phytochemical extraction from agricultural wastes, ranging from dietary fiber to anthocyanins. In 2022, his research switched to the CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing of microbes to enhance the high-value compound extraction. His honor includes the Young Scientist Award. He is also associated with prestigious societies like the Society of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology (SPBB), and the Association of Food Scientists & Technologists, India (AFSTI).

M. Iqbal R. Khan currently holds the position of Assistant Professor at the Department of Botany, and Deputy Director of the Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD), Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi. Also, an Adjunct Professor at the Korea University, Seoul, South Korea and Adjunct Associate Professor at The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
He has published more than 100 articles, edited 10 Books, and authorized 14 Book Chapters in reputed Publishers. He has an h-index of 52 and i10-index of 93, with more than 12000 citations to his credit as per Google Scholar as per bibliometric data in Jan 2025. Recognized as Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher in Animal and Plant Science category. He has been recognized in the list of Top 2% Scientists (Elsevier) of the World (2021-2024).
He has been awarded with The National Academy of Sciences (NASI) - Membership in Plant and Agricultural Sciences (2024), and recipient of Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Young Associates (2024). Further, his work has attracted prestigious awards, including R.H. Dastur Gold Medal Award-ISPP (2023), Young Scientist Platinum Jubilee Award-NASI (2021), and Young Scientist Award-ISPP (2018).
He is on the Editorial Board of many renowned journals as the Section Editor in Plant and Soil, Associate Editor in Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 3-Biotech, and Plant Physiology Reports. He has also served as Guest Editor in the Agriculture, Frontiers in Plant Science, Sustainability and Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.