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Chapter 7 Role of phytoalexins in plant disease resistance

  • Manisha Dev , Vidya Dev , K. P. Singh , Prachi Pant and Shilpi Rawat
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Biorationals and Biopesticides
This chapter is in the book Biorationals and Biopesticides

Abstract

Plants are constantly attacked by various pathogens in their microclimate, and during these stress conditions, they limit their growth and synthesize stressbursting chemical compounds. They respond by activating various mechanisms like defense gene expression, cell wall remodeling, production of reactive oxygen species, and antimicrobial compounds. One of the most important classes of these antimicrobial compounds is phytoalexins. Phytoalexins belong to a diverse group of secondary metabolites and their chemical structures can vary widely based on the plant species. Most of them are found in the Fabaceae and Solanaceae families. Some common classes of phytoalexins include flavonoids, terpenoids, stilbenes, and alkaloids. Some of them are synthesized via the phenylpropanoid pathway with phenylalanine ammonia- lyase as a key enzyme and some via the methylerythritol-4-phosphate pathway. These compounds function as a guardian to plants against various biotrophic, necrotrophic, or hemibiotrophic pathogens. Pisatin in peas, resveratrol in grapes, and glyceollins in soybeans are some of the popular examples of phytoalexin.

Abstract

Plants are constantly attacked by various pathogens in their microclimate, and during these stress conditions, they limit their growth and synthesize stressbursting chemical compounds. They respond by activating various mechanisms like defense gene expression, cell wall remodeling, production of reactive oxygen species, and antimicrobial compounds. One of the most important classes of these antimicrobial compounds is phytoalexins. Phytoalexins belong to a diverse group of secondary metabolites and their chemical structures can vary widely based on the plant species. Most of them are found in the Fabaceae and Solanaceae families. Some common classes of phytoalexins include flavonoids, terpenoids, stilbenes, and alkaloids. Some of them are synthesized via the phenylpropanoid pathway with phenylalanine ammonia- lyase as a key enzyme and some via the methylerythritol-4-phosphate pathway. These compounds function as a guardian to plants against various biotrophic, necrotrophic, or hemibiotrophic pathogens. Pisatin in peas, resveratrol in grapes, and glyceollins in soybeans are some of the popular examples of phytoalexin.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. List of contributing authors IX
  4. Chapter 1 An introduction to biorational pest control agents 1
  5. Chapter 2 Global current scenario and future prospectus of biorationals 23
  6. Chapter 3 Biorational pest management: potentials, unintended consequences, and future concerns 47
  7. Chapter 4 Role of insect growth regulators in insect/pest control 77
  8. Chapter 5 Chemistry of sex pheromones and their role in integrated pest management 95
  9. Chapter 6 Semiochemicals and other insect communication signals for controlling insect pest 107
  10. Chapter 7 Role of phytoalexins in plant disease resistance 127
  11. Chapter 8 Microbial pesticides for plant protection 141
  12. Chapter 9 Entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents 181
  13. Chapter 10 Pesticides of plant origin: botanicals 199
  14. Chapter 11 Plant essential oils: a source of eco-friendly pesticides 221
  15. Chapter 12 Plant oleoresins as source of environment-friendly pesticides 237
  16. Chapter 13 The rise of plant-based nematicides: a sustainable solution for crop protection 261
  17. Chapter 14 Biorationals: global situation and future possibilities 281
  18. Chapter 15 Microbial production of amino acids and peptides 295
  19. Chapter 16 Essential oils as biorational insecticides 335
  20. Chapter 17 Bioherbicides for integrated weed management 355
  21. Chapter 18 Dilemma hovers over the rationality of biorational insecticides: their unintended effects and consequences 373
  22. Index 401
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111204819-007

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. List of contributing authors IX
  4. Chapter 1 An introduction to biorational pest control agents 1
  5. Chapter 2 Global current scenario and future prospectus of biorationals 23
  6. Chapter 3 Biorational pest management: potentials, unintended consequences, and future concerns 47
  7. Chapter 4 Role of insect growth regulators in insect/pest control 77
  8. Chapter 5 Chemistry of sex pheromones and their role in integrated pest management 95
  9. Chapter 6 Semiochemicals and other insect communication signals for controlling insect pest 107
  10. Chapter 7 Role of phytoalexins in plant disease resistance 127
  11. Chapter 8 Microbial pesticides for plant protection 141
  12. Chapter 9 Entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents 181
  13. Chapter 10 Pesticides of plant origin: botanicals 199
  14. Chapter 11 Plant essential oils: a source of eco-friendly pesticides 221
  15. Chapter 12 Plant oleoresins as source of environment-friendly pesticides 237
  16. Chapter 13 The rise of plant-based nematicides: a sustainable solution for crop protection 261
  17. Chapter 14 Biorationals: global situation and future possibilities 281
  18. Chapter 15 Microbial production of amino acids and peptides 295
  19. Chapter 16 Essential oils as biorational insecticides 335
  20. Chapter 17 Bioherbicides for integrated weed management 355
  21. Chapter 18 Dilemma hovers over the rationality of biorational insecticides: their unintended effects and consequences 373
  22. Index 401
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