Potential roles of volatile organic compounds in plant competition

Effah, Evans; Holopainen, Jarmo K.; McCormick, Andrea Clavijo

doi:10.1016/j.ppees.2019.04.003

Cited by 67 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…Many morphological, physiological and reproductive traits associated with invasiveness in plants have been explored to understand and mitigate negative impacts [5]. Chemical research has focused on the allelopathic properties of exudates (fluids) released by invasive plants [6][7][8][9], while much less is known about volatile organic compounds (VOCs)-scents-and their ecological impacts [10]. VOCs are the main currency in plant other organisms including beneficial arthropods (such as pollinators and seed dispersers), herbivores, natural enemies of herbivores, microorganisms (e.g., mycorrhizae), pathogens and other plants [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies suggest that VOCs emitted by invasive species can inhibit seed germination and reduce the above and below-ground growth of nearby plants, with direct benefits to the emitting plant [14][15][16][17]. Due to their ecological value and allelopathic effects, VOCs can be considered valuable "weapons" in plant competition [10,18]. Given the relevance of plant volatiles, the aim of this study is to characterise the natural variation in VOC emissions of an invasive species in the field and explore the biotic and abiotic factors contributing to this variation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Natural Variation in Volatile Emissions of the Invasive Weed Calluna vulgaris in New Zealand

Effah

Barrett

Peterson

et al. 2020

Plants

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Invasive plants pose a threat to natural ecosystems, changing the community composition and ecological dynamics. One aspect that has received little attention is the production and emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by invasive plants. Investigating VOCs is important because they are involved in vital ecological interactions such as pollination, herbivory and plant competition. Heather, Calluna vulgaris, is a major invasive weed in New Zealand, especially on the Central Plateau, where it has spread rapidly since its introduction in 1912, outcompeting native species. However, the chemical behaviour of heather in its invaded ranges is poorly understood. We aimed to explore the natural variation in volatile emissions of heather and the biotic and abiotic factors influencing them on the Central Plateau of New Zealand. To this end, foliar volatiles produced by heather at four different sites were collected and analysed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Soil properties, herbivory and other environmental data were also collected at each site to investigate their effects on VOC emissions using generalised linear models (GLMs). Our results reveal significant differences in VOC emissions between sites and suggest that soil nutrients are the main factor accounting for these differences. Herbivory and temperature had only a minor effect, while soil water content had no impact. Further studies are needed to investigate how these variations in the invasive plant’s foliar volatiles influence native species.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural Variation in Volatile Emissions of the Invasive Weed Calluna vulgaris in New Zealand

Effah

Barrett

Peterson

et al. 2020

Plants

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“…This causes large numbers of molecules to evaporate or sublimate from the liquid or solid form of the compound into the air [2]. Many plants release diverse blends of VOCs from nearly all organs to attract pollinators, prevent attacks from pathogens and herbivores, and communicate with the surrounding environment [3][4][5]. Plant VOCs account for about 1 % of plant secondary metabolites currently known and typically comprise low molecular weight metabolites (< 300 Da) with fairly low boiling points (e.g., 236.8°C for carvacrol, 225°C…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanoencapsulation of Plant Volatile Organic Compounds to Improve Their Biological Activities

Mun

Townley

2020

Planta Med

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Plant volatile organic compounds (volatiles) are secondary plant metabolites that play crucial roles in the reproduction, defence, and interactions with other vegetation. They have been shown to exhibit a broad range of biological properties and have been investigated for antimicrobial and anticancer activities. In addition, they are thought be more environmentally friendly than many other synthetic chemicals 1. Despite these facts, their applications in the medical, food, and agricultural fields are considerably restricted due to their volatilities, instabilities, and aqueous insolubilities. Nanoparticle encapsulation of plant volatile organic compounds is regarded as one of the best strategies that could lead to the enhancement of the bioavailability and biological activity of the volatile compounds by overcoming their physical limitations and promoting their controlled release and cellular absorption. In this review, we will discuss the biosynthesis and analysis of plant volatile organic compounds, their biological activities, and limitations. Furthermore, different types of nanoparticle platforms used to encapsulate the volatiles and the biological efficacies of nanoencapsulated volatile organic compounds will be covered.

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“…Plants produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) constitutively and in response to environmental stressors [8][9][10]. VOCs mediate several interactions between organisms acting as a source of information (infochemical) to other organisms but can also act as bioactive compounds having direct impacts on surrounding species (e.g., allelopathy) [11]. The emitting plant can benefit directly from VOCs by attracting pollinators, repelling herbivores, and reducing competition by inhibiting the growth of nearby plants [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…VOCs mediate several interactions between organisms acting as a source of information (infochemical) to other organisms but can also act as bioactive compounds having direct impacts on surrounding species (e.g., allelopathy) [11]. The emitting plant can benefit directly from VOCs by attracting pollinators, repelling herbivores, and reducing competition by inhibiting the growth of nearby plants [11]. However, VOC emissions can also benefit the emitting plant indirectly by modifying multitrophic interactions, e.g., attracting natural enemies of their herbivores [11,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Herbivory and Attenuated UV Radiation Affect Volatile Emissions of the Invasive Weed Calluna vulgaris

et al. 2020

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Calluna vulgaris (heather) is an aggressive invasive weed on the Central Plateau, North Is., New Zealand (NZ), where it encounters different environmental factors compared to its native range in Europe, such as high ultraviolet radiation (UV) and a lack of specialist herbivores. The specialist herbivore Lochmaea suturalis (heather beetle) was introduced from the United Kingdom (UK) in 1996 as a biocontrol agent to manage this invasive weed. Like other plant invaders, a novel environment may be challenging for heather as it adjusts to its new conditions. This process of “adjustment” involves morphological and physiological changes often linked to phenotypic plasticity. The biochemical responses of exotic plants to environmental variables in their invaded range is poorly understood. The production and release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is essential to plant communication and highly susceptible to environmental change. This study therefore aimed to explore the VOC emissions of heather in response to different levels of UV exposure, and to feeding damage by L. suturalis. Using tunnel houses clad with UV-selective filters, we measured VOCs produced by heather under NZ ambient, 20% attenuated, and 95% attenuated solar UV treatments. We also compared VOC emissions in the field at adjacent sites where L. suturalis was present or absent. Volatiles produced by the same target heather plants were measured at four different times in the spring and summer of 2018–2019, reflecting variations in beetle’s abundance, feeding stage and plant phenology. Heather plants under 95% attenuated UV produced significantly higher amounts of (E)-β-farnesene, decanal, benzaldehyde, and benzeneacetaldehyde compared to 25% attenuated and ambient UV radiation. We also found significant differences in volatiles produced by heather plants in beetle-present versus beetle-absent sites on most sampling occasions. We also recorded a lower number of generalist herbivores on heather at sites where L. suturalis was present. Interactions between invasive plants, a novel environment, and the native communities they invade, are discussed.

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Potential roles of volatile organic compounds in plant competition

Cited by 67 publications

References 85 publications

Natural Variation in Volatile Emissions of the Invasive Weed Calluna vulgaris in New Zealand

Natural Variation in Volatile Emissions of the Invasive Weed Calluna vulgaris in New Zealand

Nanoencapsulation of Plant Volatile Organic Compounds to Improve Their Biological Activities

Herbivory and Attenuated UV Radiation Affect Volatile Emissions of the Invasive Weed Calluna vulgaris

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