Cited by 1,654Insect-Plant Interactions and ControlPlant biochemistry and biosynthesisPlant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity

Secondary metabolites in plant defence mechanisms

BENNETT, RICHARD N., WALLSGROVE, ROGER M.·1994·New Phytologist

Abstract

SUMMARY: Many secondary metabolites found in plants have a role in defence against herbivores, pests and pathogens. In this review, a few examples are described and discussed, and some of the problems in determining the precise role(s) of such metabolites highlighted. The role of secondary metabolites in defence may involve deterrence/anti‐feedant activity, toxicity or acting as precursors to physical defence systems. Many specialist herbivores and pathogens do not merely circumvent the deterrent or toxic effects of secondary metabolites but actually utilize these compounds as either host recognition cues or nutrients (or both). This is true of both cyanogenic glucosides and glucosinolates, which art discussed in detail as examples of defensive compounds. Their biochemistry is compared and contrasted. An enormous variety of secondary metabolites are derived from shikimic acid or aromatic amino acids, many of which have important roles in defence mechanisms. Several classes of secondary products are ‘induced’ by infection, wounding or herbivory, and examples of these are given. Genetic variation in the speed and extent of such induction may account, at least in part, for the difference between resistant and susceptible varieties. Both salicylates and jasmonates have been implicated as signals in such responses and in many other physiological processes, though their prescise roles and interactions in signalling and development are not fully understood. Contents Summary 617 I. Introduction 617 II. Cyanogenic glucosides 618 III. Glucosinolates 619 IV. Non‐protein amino acids 621 V. Alkaloids 622 VI. Plant phenoiics 623 VII. Plant terpenes, sesquiterpenoids and sterols 626 VIII. Phytoalexins 626 IX. Salicylic acid and methyl jasnionate 627 X. Conclusions 628 References 629

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1994.tb02968.x

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Authors
BENNETT, R. N., & WALLSGROVE, R. M.
Affiliations
Rothamsted Research (GB)
Venue
New Phytologist
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1994-08
Volume
127
Issue
4
Pages
617-633
ISSN
  • 0028-646X (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-8137
OpenAlex
W2048309867
Cited by
1,654
References
160
Citations by year
2026: 56 · 2025: 65 · 2024: 79 · 2023: 80 · 2022: 114 · 2021: 139 · 2020: 97 · 2019: 96 · 2018: 111 · 2017: 65 · 2016: 68 · 2015: 90 · 2014: 61 · 2013: 56 · 2012: 48
FWCI
25.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • New Phytologist (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Rothamsted Repository (Rothamsted Repository) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
Keywords
plant secondary metabolites, plant defense, herbivore deterrence, antifeedant activity, plant toxins, cyanogenic glucosides, glucosinolates, shikimate pathway, aromatic amino acids, alkaloids, plant phenolics, terpenes, sesquiterpenes, sterols, phytoalexins, salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate, plant-pathogen interaction

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