Chemical diversity of microbial volatiles and their potential for plant growth and productivity

Abstract

Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) are produced by a wide array of microorganisms ranging from bacteria to fungi. A growing body of evidence indicates that MVOCs are ecofriendly and can be exploited as a cost-effective sustainable strategy for use in agricultural practice as agents that enhance plant growth, productivity, and disease resistance. As naturally occurring chemicals, MVOCs have potential as possible alternatives to harmful pesticides, fungicides, and bactericides as well as genetic modification. Recent studies performed under open field conditions demonstrate that efficiently adopting MVOCs may contribute to sustainable crop protection and production. We review here the chemical diversity of MVOCs by describing microbialplants and microbial-microbial interactions. Furthermore, we discuss MVOCs role in inducing phenotypic plant responses and their potential physiological effects on crops. Finally, we analyze potential and actual limitations for MVOC use and deployment in field conditions as a sustainable strategy for improving productivity and reducing pesticide use.

Arabidopsis Responds to Alternaria alternata Volatiles by Triggering Plastid Phosphoglucose Isomerase-Independent Mechanisms

“…It is well known that volatile compounds (VCs) emitted by beneficial rhizosphere bacteria and fungi can promote plant growth (Ryu et al, 2003;Hung et al, 2013;Kanchiswamy et al, 2015). We recently showed that this action is not only restricted to beneficial microorganisms but extends to pathogens and microbes that do not normally interact mutualistically with plants ( Sánchez-López et al, 2016).…”

Project-Based Governance Framework for an Agri-Food Cooperative

“…On the one hand, given that the intensification and extensification of agriculture to feed the growing human population are responsible partly for today's global environmental problems [68], the current situation demands the management of a socially-and ethically-justified agriculture, that is economically viable and environmentally healthy [69]. In this sense, the results show that alliances between the organization and universities and research centers are fundamental to promote technological advances related to organic farming, since it is necessary to develop new sustainable strategies for the protection and improvement of crops that do not depend on harmful chemical substances [70].…”

The ecological role of volatile mediated interactions belowground

“…In fact, several studies indicated that microbial as well as plant VOCs could play important roles in belowground intra-and interkingtom interactions where they can function as antimicrobials, carbon source, as well as infochemicals affecting physiological and developmental processes (Wheatley 2002;Maffei et al 2011;Effmert et al 2012;Bitas et al 2013;Peñuelas et al 2014;Kanchiswamy et al 2015a;Schmidt et al 2015;Werner et al 2016;Piechulla et al 2017). Volatile-mediated interactions belowground.…”