Elsevier

Applied Soil Ecology

Volume 168, December 2021, 104118
Applied Soil Ecology

Review
Beneficial effects of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) in plants

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2021.104118Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • MVOCs play a key role in the biological dynamics of the soil.

  • MVOCs can act as biopesticides directly against plant pathogens and pests.

  • MVOCs can promote plant growth, improve tolerance to abiotic stresses, and induce plant defensive responses.

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemical compounds whose saturation vapor pressures are greater than 102 kPa at 25 °C. Both plants and microorganisms produce VOCs that allow them to communicate intra- and inter-specifically. By emitting VOCs, plants defend themselves against herbivores and pathogens, warn their neighbors of the attack, compete with other plants, and/or feed microbial populations. Microorganisms emit VOCs to communicate or attack each other. Microbial VOCs (MVOCs) can be of great benefit to plants and their use in agriculture thanks to their ability to inhibit the growth and development of plant pathogens, induce the activation of plant defenses, or promote plant growth and development. In recent years, advances in understanding the importance of microbial volatilome have placed MVOCs as important biotechnological resources in plant production systems.

Keywords

Volatile organic compounds
Microbial volatile organic compounds
Biocontrol
Antifungal activity
Plant growth

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