Journal of Taiwan Agricultural Research

Author:Chia-Hsun Ho1*, Man-Hsia Yang, Chiao-Ling Hsiao, and Ya-Ling Hou

Abstract:

Plant volatile organic compounds (pVOCs) exhibit various biological functions in ecosystems. These include activating plant defense mechanisms, facilitating plant-to-plant signaling, aiding in pollination and seed dispersal, promoting crop growth and environmental adaptation, and enhancing agricultural product quality. When herbivorous insects attack plants, they induce plants to release specific volatile compounds, known as herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), which attract natural enemies of pests and trigger defense responses in neighboring plants. Additionally, pVOCs involve plantto-plant communication, enhancing the resistance of surrounding plants under stresses. The biosynthesis of pVOCs originates from multiple biochemical pathways and can be categorized into four major groups: terpenoids, phenylpropanoids/benzenoids, fatty acid derivatives, and amino acid derivatives. On the other hand, environmental factors influence the emission levels, composition, and chemical properties of pVOCs, with temperature being a key determinant. The pVOCs show significant potential as biocontrol agents for organic agriculture. However, their high volatility, rapid biodegradability, sensitivity to environmental conditions, and high production costs pose challenges to their widespread agricultural application. Further research and technical improvements are needed to overcome limitations before pVOCs can effectively replace traditional pesticides in sustainable agriculture.

Key words:Volatile organic compounds, Biological functions, Terpenoids, Biosynthesis, Temperature

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