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Plant defense and herbivore counter-defense: benzoxazinoids and insect herbivores.

Authors :
Wouters FC
Blanchette B
Gershenzon J
Vassão DG
Source :
Phytochemistry reviews : proceedings of the Phytochemical Society of Europe [Phytochem Rev] 2016; Vol. 15 (6), pp. 1127-1151. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Nov 05.
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

Benzoxazinoids are a class of indole-derived plant chemical defenses comprising compounds with a 2-hydroxy-2 H -1,4-benzoxazin-3(4 H )-one skeleton and their derivatives. These phytochemicals are widespread in grasses, including important cereal crops such as maize, wheat and rye, as well as a few dicot species, and display a wide range of antifeedant, insecticidal, antimicrobial, and allelopathic activities. Although their overall effects against insect herbivores are frequently reported, much less is known about how their modes of action specifically influence insect physiology. The present review summarizes the biological activities of benzoxazinoids on chewing, piercing-sucking, and root insect herbivores. We show how within-plant distribution modulates the exposure of different herbivore feeding guilds to these defenses, and how benzoxazinoids may act as toxins, feeding deterrents and digestibility-reducing compounds under different conditions. In addition, recent results on the metabolism of benzoxazinoids by insects and their consequences for plant-herbivore interactions are addressed, as well as directions for future research.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1568-7767
Volume :
15
Issue :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Phytochemistry reviews : proceedings of the Phytochemical Society of Europe
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
27932939
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-016-9481-1