Role of phenolics in the resistance mechanisms of plants against fungal pathogens and insects.

TLDR

Plant phenolics are diverse secondary metabolites derived from the shikimate‑phenylpropanoid‑flavonoid pathways, serving roles in pigmentation, growth, reproduction, and defense against pathogens. The article investigates how phenolics contribute to plant resistance against fungal pathogens and insect herbivores. It reviews phenols as UV protectants, signaling molecules, pigments, physiological regulators, and chemical messengers, and discusses their ecological roles in plant defense. Correspondence: Prof.

Abstract

Plant phenolics are secondary metabolites that encompass several classes structurally diverse of natural products biogenetically arising from the shikimate-phenylpropanoids-flavonoids pathways. Plants need phenolic compounds for pigmentation, growth, reproduction, resistance to pathogens and for many other functions. Therefore, they represent adaptive characters that have been subjected to natural Correspondence/Reprint request: Prof. Vincenzo Lattanzio, Dipartimento di Scienze Agro-Ambientali, Chimica e Difesa Vegetale, Universita degli Studi di Foggia, 71100-Foggia, Italy. E-mail: [e-mail] Vincenzo Lattanzio et al. 24 selection during evolution. Plants synthesize a greater array of secondary compounds than animals because they cannot rely on physical mobility to escape their predators and have therefore evolved a chemical defence against such predators. This article, after a short review of plant phenols and polyphenols as UV sunscreens, signal compounds, pigments, internal physiological regulators or chemical messengers, examines some findings in chemical ecology concerning the role of phenolics in the resistance mechanisms of plants against fungal pathogens and phytophagous insects.