‘The Life of Plants in a Changing Environment’ – by Rishikesh Upadhyay #book #review 5/5

Publishing date : December 6, 2021
Language : English
No. of pages : 270

About author: Rishikesh Upadhyay, also known as R K Upadhyay, was born and grew up in a small Nepalis’ hamlet, Bhanjung Basti, via Mahadev Tilla at Haflong in the district headquarters of NC Hills (now Dima Hasao). His research and teaching works have focused largely on the environmental physiology, stress biology and biochemistry of plants.

Summary of the book:

Theme: This book focuses on the effects of environmental changes and global warming on plants.

The environment is changing rapidly and this is having a detrimental effect on plants.The surrounding environment is becoming unbalanced and in that we humans are also creating a threat to plants.

We studied in schools that plants require minerals,nutrients,carbon, water and light for reproduction, development and growth.

They do not acquire an immune system and are not able to move like animals. They gain tolerance of these unfavorable conditions through the accumulation of bioactive metabolites. Plants adapt to their changing environment and stressful conditions with the help of secondary metabolites (SM),

In this book author have mentioned the importance of secondary metabolites to various industries:
For example:-
1. Simmondsia Chinensis: (Jojoba) commonly called goat nut, pignut, wild hazel, coffeeberry etc.
Secondary metabolites : Liquid wax and Jojoba wax
Use: wound healing, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory activity

‘ Jojoba ‘

2. Catharanthus roseus G: Madagascar periwinkle commonly known as Cape periwinkle/Pink periwinkle/graveyard plant etc
Secondary metabolites: Vinblastine
Use: Diabetes

‘Periwinkle’

Prolonged effect of stress due to the scarcity of water decreases leaf size, stomatal openings and water potential;delays fruiting and flowering, reduces the size of fruits etc.
For example:-

‘Effect of scarcity of water ‘

Further authors have explained how the effect of light, temperature, heavy metals, drought, salinity etc develops some compounds in plant species which are acidic, phenolic, alkaloid etc.

This book presents an exhaustive overview of the specific effects and modifications that could offer in this regard, and will serve to consolidate the ideas to promote standardization of plant adaptation to these changes in the environment. It details an essential aspect of plant life. The text of this book is in current context which sheds light on the issues and concerns related to plant stress in the natural environment.

I honestly think that this book gives us a comprehensive overview of the changes that are taking place in the environment, the specific and different types of problems and the response of plants to them. It is excellent for higher studies and research studies. Each chapter is written by different authors and their contribution is commendable.

⭐ I was contacted by the author’s team to review this book and I accepted the offer as this book is on my favourite topic “Environmental Science.” For this I was sent an ebook pdf copy.

N.B: There are no pictures in this book only tables are available. I have used pictures of plant species and common names so that the reader will understand that their familiar plant species (garden plants) is part of the study.

*Book is available online for purchase at – https://amzn.to/3HaTLCp

Author can also be reached on –
Twitter – https://bit.ly/3jEzJ9i
Goodreads – https://bit.ly/3fMxDmC
Bookbub – https://bit.ly/3dJWggr