Microbial Volatile Compounds and Plant Health: Ecological Roles, Mechanisms, and Agricultural Applications - Abhijeet Shankar Kashyap

This book explores the role of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) in supporting plant health and sustainable agriculture. It presents a structured and research-driven view of how MVOCs contribute to plant defense, growth, and ecological balance, while also offering practical insights for their use in real-world farming systems.
The chapters cover the biological diversity and biosynthesis of MVOCs, their role in plant–microbe and microbe–microbe interactions, and their influence on plant immunity and signaling. The book also discusses the ecological relevance of MVOCs in soil and rhizosphere environments, their response to environmental stress, and their impact on microbial communities. It includes detailed methods for detecting and analyzing MVOCs using tools like GC-MS and metabolomics and highlights the integration of artificial intelligence in MVOC research. Applications in agriculture are addressed through chapters on biocontrol, plant growth promotion, and field-level implementation. Case studies and industry perspectives provide real-world context, while the final section focuses on biosafety, regulation, and future directions in climate-resilient agriculture.
This book is a valuable resource for researchers in plant sciences, microbiology, and agriculture. It supports professionals working on eco-friendly crop protection and microbial technologies. It is also useful for graduate students and early-career scientists seeking a clear and practical understanding of MVOC research and its applications.