Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Evaluating Leaf Responses to Microbial Secondary Metabolites Using A High-Throughput Format
Published on: December 5, 2025
Elicitors and priming agents initiate plant defense responses
Paul W Paré1, Mohamed A Farag, Venkat Krishnamachari
1Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, 79409, USA. Paul.Pare@ttu.edu
Abstract:
Biotic elicitors produced by plant pathogens or herbivore pests rapidly activate a range of plant chemical defenses when translocated to plant tissue. The fatty acid conjugate volicitin has proven to be a robust elicitor model for studying herbivore-induced plant defense responses. Here we review the role of insect-derived volicitin (N-[17-hydroxylinolenoyl]-L-glutamine) as an authentic elicitor of defense responses, specifically as an activator of signal volatiles that attract natural enemies of herbivore pests. Comparisons are drawn between volicitin as an elicitor of plant defenses and two other classes of signaling molecules, C(6) green-leaf volatiles and C(4) bacterial volatiles that appear to prime plant defenses thereby enhancing the capacity to mobilize cellular defense responses when a plant is faced with herbivore or pathogen attack.
More Related Videos
04:11Pattern-Triggered Oxidative Burst and Seedling Growth Inhibition Assays in Arabidopsis thaliana
Published on: May 21, 2019
11:50Bacterial Leaf Infiltration Assay for Fine Characterization of Plant Defense Responses using the Arabidopsis thaliana-Pseudomonas syringae Pathosystem
Published on: October 1, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores
Introduction to Plant Diversity
Cell Signaling in Plants
Plant Hormones
Plant Cell Wall
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress