Plant response to strigolactones: Current developments and emerging trends

Abstract

Phytohormones and their derivatives are the major players in the signaling network and regulation of plant defense systems against abiotic stress. A new class of carotenoid-derived plant hormones namely strigolactones (SLs) have been found to regulate various developmental processes in plants. Abiotic stresses, drought, excessive watering, extreme temperatures (cold, frost and heat), salinity, pollutants and mineral toxicity adversely affect plant growth and productivity. Plants have shown positive responses under drought, salinity stress and deficiency of macronutrients in the presence of SL. Plants grown in phosphate deficient soil have shown increased strigolactones production which facilitate root growth development and fungal/mycorrhizal symbiosis increasing phosphate intake from the rhizosphere. Under these circumstances, the extent and quantity of SL varies from plant to plant. The synthetic SLs have shown increased nodulation in mutant plants. Some reports are also available on the role of SLs in adventitious rooting. In this review, we have discussed the latest developments associated with the SLs and their potential applications.