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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
10:28
Herbivore-induced Blueberry Volatiles and Intra-plant Signaling
Published on: December 18, 2011
Herbivory-induced signalling in plants: perception and action
1Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll Str. 8, Jena 07745, Germany.
Plant, Cell & Environment
|February 3, 2009
Summary
Plants defend against herbivores by producing toxins and attracting predators. This review details plant perception of herbivory and the signalling pathways mediating these complex defence responses.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Ecology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Plants have co-evolved with herbivores for millions of years, developing sophisticated defense mechanisms.
- Herbivore attack triggers metabolic reconfigurations in plants, producing defensive compounds and volatile signals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding plant recognition of herbivory.
- To elucidate the signalling pathways involved in plant defense against herbivores.
- To explore signals that mediate local and systemic plant responses to herbivore attack.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on plant-herbivore interactions and signaling.
- Analysis of molecular and physiological responses to herbivore elicitors.
- Summary of research on plant perception, defense compound production, and signal transduction.
Main Results:
- Plants perceive herbivory through specific compounds in herbivore oral secretions and oviposition fluids.
- Herbivory triggers rapid cellular events including membrane depolarization, calcium influx, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation.
- Plant defense responses are systemic, occurring in both attacked and unattacked tissues.
Conclusions:
- Plant defense against herbivores is a complex, regulated process involving intricate signaling networks.
- Understanding these plant defense mechanisms is crucial for agriculture and ecology.
- Further research into plant signaling pathways can reveal novel strategies for crop protection.
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