scholarly journals A comparative study of plant volatiles induced by insect and gastropod herbivory

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Mann ◽  
Diane Laplanche ◽  
Ted C. J. Turlings ◽  
Gaylord A. Desurmont

AbstractInsect and gastropod herbivores are major plant consumers and their importance in the evolution of plant defensive traits is broadly recognized. However, their respective effects on plant responses have rarely been compared. Here we focused on plant volatile emissions (VOCs) following herbivory and compared the effects of herbivory by caterpillars of the generalist insect Spodoptera littoralis and by generalist slugs of the genus Arion on the VOCs emissions of 14 cultivated plant species. Results revealed that plants consistently produced higher amounts of volatiles and responded more specifically to caterpillar than to slug herbivory. Specifically, plants released on average 6.0 times more VOCs (total), 8.9 times more green leaf volatiles, 4.2 times more terpenoids, 6.0 times more aromatic hydrocarbons, and 5.7 times more other VOCs in response to 1 cm2 of insect damage than to 1 cm2 of slug damage. Interestingly, four of the plant species tested produced a distinct blend of volatiles following insect damage but not slug damage. These findings may result from different chemical elicitors or from physical differences in herbivory by the two herbivores. This study is an important step toward a more inclusive view of plant responses to different types of herbivores.

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (7) ◽  
pp. 628-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland Mumm ◽  
Marcel Dicke

Plants can respond to feeding or egg deposition by herbivorous arthropods by changing the volatile blend that they emit. These herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) can attract carnivorous natural enemies of the herbivores, such as parasitoids and predators, a phenomenon that is called indirect plant defense. The volatile blends of infested plants can be very complex, sometimes consisting of hundreds of compounds. Most HIPVs can be classified as terpenoids (e.g., (E)-β-ocimene, (E,E)-α-farnesene, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene), green leaf volatiles (e.g., hexanal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate), phenylpropanoids (e.g., methyl salicylate, indole), and sulphur- or nitrogen-containing compounds (e.g., isothiocyanates or nitriles, respectively). One highly intriguing question has been which volatiles out of the complex blend are the most important ones for the carnivorous natural enemies to locate "suitable host plants. Here, we review the methods and techniques that have been used to elucidate the carnivore-attracting compounds. Electrophysiological methods such as electroantennography have been used with parasitoids to elucidate which compounds can be perceived by the antennae. Different types of elicitors and inhibitors have widely been applied to manipulate plant volatile blends. Furthermore, transgenic plants that were genetically modified in specific steps in one of the signal transduction pathways or biosynthetic routes have been used to find steps in HIPV emission crucial for indirect plant defense. Furthermore, we provide an overview on biotic and abiotic factors that influence the emission of HIPVs and how this can affect the interactions between members of different trophic levels. Consequently, we review the progress that has been made in this exciting research field during the past 30 years since the first studies on HIPVs emerged and we highlight important issues to be addressed in the future.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiang Shi ◽  
Jiatong Wang ◽  
Haipeng Lv ◽  
Qunhua Peng ◽  
Monika Schreiner ◽  
...  

AbstractIn response to preharvest priming with exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA), tea plants adjust their physiological behavior at the molecular level. The whole-organism reconfiguration of aroma formation from the precursor to storage is poorly understood. In this study, we performed iTRAQ proteomic analysis and identified 337, 246, and 413 differentially expressed proteins in tea leaves primed with MeJA for 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h, respectively. Furthermore, a total of 266 nonvolatile and 100 volatile differential metabolites were identified by utilizing MS-based metabolomics. A novel approach that incorporated the integration of extended self-organizing map-based dimensionality was applied. The vivid time-scale changes tracing physiological responses in MeJA-primed tea leaves are marked in these maps. Jasmonates responded quickly to the activation of the jasmonic acid pathway in tea leaves, while hydroxyl and glycosyl jasmonates were biosynthesized simultaneously on a massive scale to compensate for the exhausted defense. The levels of α-linolenic acid, geranyl diphosphate, farnesyl diphosphate, geranylgeranyl diphosphate, and phenylalanine, which are crucial aroma precursors, were found to be significantly changed in MeJA-primed tea leaves. Green leaf volatiles, volatile terpenoids, and volatile phenylpropanoids/benzenoids were spontaneously biosynthesized from responding precursors and subsequently converted to their corresponding glycosidic forms, which can be stably stored in tea leaves. This study elucidated the physiological response of tea leaves primed with exogenous methyl jasmonate and revealed the molecular basis of source and sink changes on tea aroma biosynthesis and catabolism in response to exogenous stimuli. The results significantly enhance our comprehensive understanding of tea plant responses to exogenous treatment and will lead to the development of promising biotechnologies to improve fresh tea leaf quality.


2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 515-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Chen ◽  
H.Y. Fadamiro

AbstractParasitoids employ different types of host-related volatile signals for foraging and host-location. Host-related volatile signals can be plant-based, originate from the herbivore host or produced from an interaction between herbivores and their plant host. In order to investigate potential sex- and species-related differences in the antennal response of parasitoids to different host-related volatiles, we compared the electroantennogram (EAG) responses of both sexes of the specialist parasitoid, Microplitis croceipes (Cresson), and the generalist, Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson), to varying doses of selected plant-based host-related volatiles: two green leaf volatiles (cis-3-hexenol and hexanal) and three inducible compounds (cis-3-hexenyl acetate, linalool, and (E,E)-α-farnesene). Mating had no significant effect on EAG response. Females of both species showed significantly greater EAG responses than conspecific males to green leaf volatiles, which are released immediately after initiation of herbivore feeding damage. In contrast, males showed greater responses than conspecific females to inducible compounds released much later after initial damage. Cotesia marginiventris females and males showed greater EAG responses than counterpart M. croceipes to the tested compounds at various doses, suggesting that the generalist parasitoid shows greater antennal sensitivity than the specialist to the tested host-plant volatiles. These results are discussed in relation to the possible roles of green leaf volatiles and inducible compounds in the ecology of female and male parasitoids.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun He ◽  
Rayko Halitschke ◽  
Meredith C. Schuman ◽  
Ian T. Baldwin

Abstract Background Timing is everything when it comes to the fitness outcome of a plant’s ecological interactions, and accurate timing is particularly relevant for interactions with herbivores or mutualists that are based on ephemeral emissions of volatile organic compounds. Previous studies of the wild tobacco N. attenuata have found associations between the diurnal timing of volatile emissions, and daytime predation of herbivores by their natural enemies. Results Here, we investigated the role of light in regulating two biosynthetic groups of volatiles, terpenoids and green leaf volatiles (GLVs), which dominate the herbivore-induced bouquet of N. attenuata. Light deprivation strongly suppressed terpenoid emissions while enhancing GLV emissions, albeit with a time lag. Silencing the expression of photoreceptor genes did not alter terpenoid emission rhythms, but silencing expression of the phytochrome gene, NaPhyB1, disordered the emission of the GLV (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. External abscisic acid (ABA) treatments increased stomatal resistance, but did not truncate the emission of terpenoid volatiles (recovered in the headspace). However, ABA treatment enhanced GLV emissions and leaf internal pools (recovered from tissue), and reduced internal linalool pools. In contrast to the pattern of diurnal terpenoid emissions and nocturnal GLV emissions, transcripts of herbivore-induced plant volatile (HIPV) biosynthetic genes peaked during the day. The promotor regions of these genes were populated with various cis-acting regulatory elements involved in light-, stress-, phytohormone- and circadian regulation. Conclusions This research provides insights into the complexity of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of HIPV bouquets, a mechanistic complexity which rivals the functional complexity of HIPVs, which includes repelling herbivores, calling for body guards, and attracting pollinators.


Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 213
Author(s):  
Jurgen Engelberth ◽  
Marie Engelberth

Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) are commonly released by plants upon damage, thereby providing volatile signals for other plants to prepare against the major causes of damage, herbivory, pathogen infection, and cold stress. However, while the biosynthesis of these compounds is generally well understood, little is known about the qualities and quantities that are released by different plant species, nor is it known if release patterns can be associated with different clades of plants. Here, we provide a first study describing the damage-induced release of major GLVs by more than 50 plant species. We found major differences in the quantity and quality of those compounds between different plant species ranging from undetectable levels to almost 100 µg per gram fresh weight. We also found major shifts in the composition that correlate directly to the quantity of emitted GLV. However, we did not find any major patterns that would associate specific GLV release with distinct clades of plants.


2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 268-275
Author(s):  
Hai-Feng SUN ◽  
Zhen-Yu LI ◽  
Bin WU ◽  
Xue-Mei QIN

Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 176
Author(s):  
Sophie Vincenti ◽  
Magali Mariani ◽  
Jessica Croce ◽  
Eva Faillace ◽  
Virginie Brunini-Bronzini de Caraffa ◽  
...  

Hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) catalyzes the synthesis of volatiles C6 or C9 aldehydes from fatty acid hydroperoxides. These short carbon chain aldehydes, known as green leaf volatiles (GLV), are widely used in cosmetic industries and as food additives because of their “fresh green” aroma. To meet the growing demand for natural GLVs, the use of recombinant HPL as a biocatalyst in enzyme-catalyzed processes appears to be an interesting application. Previously, we cloned and expressed a 13-HPL from olive fruit in Escherichia coli and showed high conversion rates (up to 94%) during the synthesis of C6 aldehydes. To consider a scale-up of this process, optimization of the recombinant enzyme production is necessary. In this study, four host-vector combinations were tested. Experimental design and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to optimize the expression conditions. Three factors were considered, i.e., temperature, inducer concentration and induction duration. The Box–Behnken design consisted of 45 assays for each expression system performed in deep-well microplates. The regression models were built and fitted well to the experimental data (R2 coefficient > 97%). The best response (production level of the soluble enzyme) was obtained with E. coli BL21 DE3 cells. Using the optimal conditions, 2277 U L−1of culture of the soluble enzyme was produced in microliter plates and 21,920 U L−1of culture in an Erlenmeyer flask, which represents a 79-fold increase compared to the production levels previously reported.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Becker ◽  
Nicolas Desneux ◽  
Lucie Monticelli ◽  
Xavier Fernandez ◽  
Thomas Michel ◽  
...  

In contrast to constitutively emitted plant volatiles (PV), herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPV) are specifically emitted by plants when afflicted with herbivores. HIPV can be perceived by parasitoids and predators which parasitize or prey on the respective herbivores, including parasitic hymenoptera. HIPV act as signals and facilitate host/prey detection. They comprise a blend of compounds: main constituents are terpenoids and “green leaf volatiles.” Constitutive emission of PV is well known to be influenced by abiotic factors like temperature, light intensity, water, and nutrient availability. HIPV share biosynthetic pathways with constitutively emitted PV and might therefore likewise be affected by abiotic conditions. However, the effects of abiotic factors on HIPV-mediated biotic interactions have received only limited attention to date. HIPV being influenced by the plant’s growing conditions could have major implications for pest management. Quantitative and qualitative changes in HIPV blends may improve or impair biocontrol. Enhanced emission of HIPV may attract a larger number of natural enemies. Reduced emission rates or altered compositions, however, may render blends imperceptible to parasitoides and predators. Predicting the outcome of these changes is highly important for food production and for ecosystems affected by global climate change.


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