The underestimated role of roots in defense against leaf attackers.
- Erb M Laboratory for Fundamental and Applied Research in Chemical Ecology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. matthias.erb@unine.ch
- Lenk C
- Degenhardt J
- Turlings TC
- 2009-09-09
Published in:
- Trends in plant science. - 2009
Alkaloids
Animals
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Host-Parasite Interactions
Immunity, Innate
Insecta
Models, Biological
Plant Diseases
Plant Leaves
Plant Roots
English
Plants have evolved intricate strategies to withstand attacks by herbivores and pathogens. Although it is known that plants change their primary and secondary metabolism in leaves to resist and tolerate aboveground attack, there is little awareness of the role of roots in these processes. This is surprising given that plant roots are responsible for the synthesis of plant toxins, play an active role in environmental sensing and defense signaling, and serve as dynamic storage organs to allow regrowth. Hence, studying roots is essential for a solid understanding of resistance and tolerance to leaf-feeding insects and pathogens. Here, we highlight this function of roots in plant resistance to aboveground attackers, with a special focus on systemic signaling and insect herbivores.
- Language
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- English
- Open access status
- green
- Identifiers
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- DOI 10.1016/j.tplants.2009.08.006
- PMID 19736036
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/278095
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