Key message

This review for the first time gathers the current state of knowledge on the role of plant and microbial methyl salicylate (MeSA) signaling processes in forest ecosystems. It aims to establish a basis for the use of high-MeSA-emitting trees as a silvicultural tool aiming to enhance stability and resilience in managed temperate forests affected by climate change.

Abstract

Methyl salicylate (MeSA) is a volatile plant and microbial signaling compound involved in systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and defense against pests and microbial pathogens, and antagonists. MeSA emitted by plants is also believed to trigger SAR in neighboring plant individuals, thus contributing to the resilience of the entire plant community. In this review, we discuss volatile plant-to-plant communication processes with a special focus on MeSA and provide an overview about the occurrence of MeSA in fungi and other microbes. We summarize present findings on the role of MeSA in plants and particularly in birches (Betula spp.) and discuss the potential use of MeSA and MeSA-emitting plants in agriculture and forestry. MeSA levels in plant tissues are adjusted by methylation of salicylic acid to MeSA and the reverse process of demethylation. Some plant species possess constitutively high MeSA levels and thus are suitable for experiments of admixture of high MeSA plants, e.g., birches of the subgenera Betulenta and Acuminata in plant communities such as mixed forests. Furthermore, knowledge of candidate genes and the molecular pathways underlying high MeSA emission is expected to offer a basis for altering MeSA levels and/or the selection of high MeSA mutants.

中文翻译：

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水杨酸甲酯作为有助于森林生态系统稳定性的信号化合物

关键信息

本综述首次收集了关于植物和微生物水杨酸甲酯 (MeSA) 信号传导过程在森林生态系统中作用的当前知识状态。它旨在为使用高 MeSA 排放树木作为造林工具建立基础，旨在提高受气候变化影响的受管理温带森林的稳定性和恢复力。

摘要

水杨酸甲酯 (MeSA) 是一种挥发性植物和微生物信号化合物，参与系统获得性抗性 (SAR) 和防御害虫和微生物病原体，以及拮抗剂。植物排放的 MeSA 也被认为会触发邻近植物个体的 SAR，从而有助于整个植物群落的恢复力。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了挥发性植物间通信过程，特别关注 MeSA，并概述了 MeSA 在真菌和其他微生物中的发生。我们总结了目前关于 MeSA 在植物中的作用的发现，特别是在桦树 ( Betulaspp.) 并讨论 MeSA 和排放 MeSA 的植物在农业和林业中的潜在用途。植物组织中的 MeSA 水平通过水杨酸甲基化为 MeSA 和去甲基化的逆过程进行调节。一些植物物种具有高组成梅萨水平，从而适用于高梅萨植物，例如，在亚属的桦树外加剂实验Betulenta和尖锐湿疣植物群落如混合林。此外，候选基因和高 MeSA 发射的分子途径的知识有望为改变 MeSA 水平和/或高 MeSA 突变体的选择提供基础。