Plant volatile compounds in growth

Abstract

Plants synthesise volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in various tissues against stresses regarding herbivores, plant viruses, pathogens, temperature, humidity, light ozone, food usability, etc., and for physiologic processes such as plant development, seed formation and germination, pollination and fruit ripening. These compounds are synthesised in all parts of plants, especially flowers, fruits, roots, xylems and cells, and just as they may be effective in the tissues they are produced, they may be transferred to other parts of the plants and show their effect there. Plants communicate with living things around them by emitting numerous different volatile compounds. They develop morphological and physiological defence mechanisms by repulsing or attracting their enemies with these compounds. Plants store these compounds produced for defence and release them in the form of volatile gases when needed. Plant volatile compounds include isoprene, terpene, fatty acid derivatives, alcohols, esters, volatile oils, plant development regulators (abscisic acid, auxin, cytokinin, etc.), phenolic compounds and secondary metabolites. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017. All rights reserved.