Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Evaluating Leaf Responses to Microbial Secondary Metabolites Using A High-Throughput Format
Published on: December 5, 2025
Membrane lipid-derived heptanedioic acid primes defence and systemic growth in plants
Ritu Godara1,2, Sumanta Mohapatra1,2, Sapna Thakur1
1Plant Adaptation and Stress Signaling Lab, Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur 176061, India.
Abstract:
Lipid peroxidation-generated nonanedioic acid (also called azelaic acid, AZA), a 9-carbon dicarboxylic acid (DCA), primes plant defense responses. Here, we report that, along with AZA, a 7-carbon DCA, heptanedioic acid (also called pimelic acid; PIM), is also generated in plants experiencing pathogen and photoinhibitory (high light/cold) stresses. The exogenous foliar application of these DCAs-induced basal defense against bacterial and fungal pathogens, with PIM showing a greater effect. Assessment against viral pathogens revealed systemic implications of these DCAs. Interestingly, AZA-primed defense penalized growth, while PIM treatment primed both defense elicitation and growth promotion. Induced systemic growth promotion and stress resilience in different plants upon foliar spray at the cotyledonary leaf stage present PIM as a promising and broad-spectrum biostimulant that could enhance agricultural productivity.
Related Concept Videos
Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores
Biosynthesis of Lipids
Plant Hormones
Plant Hormones
Cell Signaling in Plants
Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...

