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Isoprene and β‐caryophyllene confer plant resistance via different plant internal signalling pathways
Author(s) -
Frank Lena,
Wenig Marion,
Ghirardo Andrea,
Krol Alexander,
Vlot A. Corina,
Schnitzler JörgPeter,
Rosenkranz Maaria
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/pce.14010
Subject(s) - isoprene , jasmonic acid , terpenoid , pseudomonas syringae , arabidopsis , sesquiterpene , abiotic component , arabidopsis thaliana , biology , botany , salicylic acid , systemic acquired resistance , chemistry , biochemistry , ecology , organic chemistry , gene , mutant , copolymer , polymer
Abstract Isoprene and other terpenoids are important biogenic volatile organic compounds in terms of atmospheric chemistry. Isoprene can aid plant performance under abiotic stresses, but the fundamental biological reasons for the high emissions are not completely understood. Here, we provide evidence of a previously unrecognized ecological function for isoprene and for the sesquiterpene, ß‐caryophyllene. We show that isoprene and ß‐caryophyllene act as core components of plant signalling networks, inducing resistance against microbial pathogens in neighbouring plants. We challenged Arabidopsis thaliana with Pseudomonas syringae , after exposure to pure volatile terpenoids or to volatile emissions of transformed poplar or Arabidopsis plants. The data suggest that isoprene induces a defence response in receiver plants that is similar to that elicited by monoterpenes and depended on salicylic acid (SA) signalling. In contrast, the sesquiterpene, ß‐caryophyllene, induced resistance via jasmonic acid (JA)‐signalling. The experiments in an open environment show that natural biological emissions are enough to induce resistance in neighbouring Arabidopsis . Our results show that both isoprene and ß‐caryophyllene function as allelochemical components in complex plant signalling networks. Knowledge of this system may be used to boost plant immunity against microbial pathogens in various crop management schemes.