Secondary metabolites in plant defence mechanisms

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Bennett, R. N. and Wallsgrove, R. M. 1994. Secondary metabolites in plant defence mechanisms. New Phytologist. 127 (4), pp. 617-633. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1994.tb02968.x

AuthorsBennett, R. N. and Wallsgrove, R. M.
Abstract

Many secondary metabolites found in plants have a role in defence against herbivores, pests and pathogens. In this review, a few examples are described and discussed, and some of the problems in determining the precise role(s) df such metabolites highlighted. The role of secondary metabolites in defence may involve deterrence/anti-feedant activity, toxicity or acting as precursors to physical defence systems. Many specialist herbivores and pathogens do not merely circumvent the deterrent or toxic effects of secondary metabolites but actually utilize these compounds as either host recognition cues or nutrients (or both). This is true of both cyanogenic glucosides and glucosinolates, which are discussed in detail as examples of defensive compounds. Their biochemistry is compared and contrasted. An enormous variety of secondary metabolites are derived from shikimic acid or aromatic amino acids, many of which have important roles in defence mechanisms. Several classes of secondary products are 'induced' by infection, wounding or herbivory, and examples of these are given. Genetic variation in the speed and extent of such induction may account, at least in part, for the difference between resistant and susceptible varieties. Both salicylates and jasmonates have been implicated as signals in such responses and in many other physiological processes, though their prescise roles and interactions in signalling and development are not fully understood.

KeywordsPlant Sciences
Year of Publication1994
JournalNew Phytologist
Journal citation127 (4), pp. 617-633
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1994.tb02968.x
Open accessPublished as non-open access
Funder project or code905
215
Project: 011281
Output statusPublished
Publication process dates
Accepted04 Apr 1994
PublisherWiley
ISSN0028-646X

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