scholarly journals Silicon and Plant Natural Defenses against Insect Pests: Impact on Plant Volatile Organic Compounds and Cascade Effects on Multitrophic Interactions

Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leroy ◽  
Tombeur ◽  
Walgraffe ◽  
Cornélis ◽  
Verheggen

Environmental factors controlling silicon (Si) accumulation in terrestrial plant are key drivers to alleviate plant biotic stresses, including insect herbivory. While there is a general agreement on the ability of Si-enriched plant to better resist insect feeding, recent studies suggest that Si also primes biochemical defense pathways in various plant families. In this review, we first summarize how soil parameters and climate variables influence Si assimilation in plants. Then, we describe recent evidences on the ability of Si to modulate plant volatile emissions, with potential cascade effects on phytophagous insects and higher trophic levels. Even though the mechanisms still need to be elucidated, Si accumulation in plants leads to contrasting effects on the levels of the three major phytohormones, namely jasmonic acid, salicylic acid and ethylene, resulting in modified emissions of plant volatile organic compounds. Herbivore-induced plant volatiles would be particularly impacted by Si concentration in plant tissues, resulting in a cascade effect on the attraction of natural enemies of pests, known to locate their prey or hosts based on plant volatile cues. Since seven of the top 10 most important crops in the world are Si-accumulating Poaceae species, it is important to discuss the potential of Si mobility in soil-plant systems as a novel component of an integrated pest management.

Author(s):  
Jiahao Ling ◽  
Xiaoping Li ◽  
Guo Yang ◽  
Tongming Yin

AbstractPlagiodera versicolora Laicharting is a highly damaging leaf beetle foraging on willow leaves. In willow germplasm collections, observation has shown that Salix suchowensis Cheng was severely foraged by this leaf beetle while Salix triandra L. was damage free or only slightly damaged. Results of olfactometer bioassays show that the headspace volatiles from leaves of S. triandra significantly repelled adult beetles, suggesting that this species produces volatile repellents against P. versicolora. S. suchowensis had no effect on the beetles. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was carried out to profile the headspace volatile organic compounds and 23 compounds from leaves of the alternate species in significantly different concentrations were detected. The effects of 20 chemical analogs on host discrimination were examined. Olfactory response to these chemicals showed that o-cymene, a S. suchowensis specific constituent, significantly attracted adult P. versicolora. In contrast, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, a constituent concentrated more in S. triandra than in S. suchowensis, significantly repelled beetles. Mixing o-cymene and cis-3-hexenyl acetate in comparable concentrations as in the volatiles of S. suchowensis demonstrated that the latter could mask the attracting effect of the former, causing a neutral response by adult beetles to leaves of S. suchowensis against clean air. In addition, chemical analogs have the same effect as plants when resembling volatile organic compounds in real samples. Two volatile metabolites were detected triggering host discrimination by one of the most damaging insect pests to host and non-host willows. The two metabolites are of considerable potential for use as olfactory signs in managing the beetles.


2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1200700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Taga ◽  
Christopher Q. Lan ◽  
Illimar Altosaar

This paper highlights the role of plant volatile organic compounds, found in essential oils, for the treatment of bacteria related inflammation. This report is focused on tea tree oil, particularly its main compound terpinen-4-ol. Analysis of the published literature shows that many essential oils have significant antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects. Some of their major components, such as terpinen-4-ol, act by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine expression while stimulating production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Such observations may be exploited to encourage biotherapy against mastitis. The use of synthetic antibiotics is being increasingly discouraged because their presence in dairy milk may have potential downstream effects on population health and the agri-food chain. In the context of inflammation and related mammalian responses, understanding the interplay between volatile organic compounds, especially terpinen-4-ol, and cytokines during bacteria related inflammation should clarify their mode of action to control mastitis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 198 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Dudareva ◽  
Antje Klempien ◽  
Joëlle K. Muhlemann ◽  
Ian Kaplan

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 378-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Lucero ◽  
Rick Estell ◽  
María Tellez ◽  
Ed Fredrickson

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 79-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eve Veromann ◽  
Merje Toome ◽  
Astrid Kännaste ◽  
Riina Kaasik ◽  
Lucian Copolovici ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document