Multifunctional role of brassinosteroid and its analogues in plants

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are steroid hormones that are essential for plant growth and development. These hormones control the division, elongation and differentiation of various cell types throughout the entire plant life cycle. Over the past few decades, studies on BRs caught the attention of plant scientists due to their versatile ability in mitigating various environmental stresses. Additionally, BR also involved in maintaining the quality of postharvest produces, by enhancing their resistance against abiotic and biotic stress. Furthermore, BRs are non-toxic and eco-friendly; this aids its importance in coping with adverse environmental conditions without disturbing the balance of the ecosystem. Our review summarized the structural characteristic and distribution of BRs in plants, role in postharvest technology, biotic stress tolerance, improving resistance against pesticide, organic pollutant toxicity and nodule formation and mycorrhization. This review provides useful information on BRs and its effects on plant system that we believe could be useful in maintaining environmental sustainability.