Volatile dialogues between plants and microorganisms
Abstract
Covering: up to 2026Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are key mediators of long-distance communication in biological systems. While their roles in plant-insect interactions are well established, emerging evidence highlights their importance in plant-microbe interactions. In this highlight, we discuss the biosynthesis and ecological functions of plant VOCs (pVOCs) and their impact on microbiome assembly and function. We examine how constitutive and stress-induced pVOCs shape microbial community composition and how microbial VOCs (mVOCs) influence plant growth and defense by modulating hormonal and metabolic pathways. We further address the bidirectional nature of volatile-mediated interactions and the challenges associated with studying complex VOC blends in natural environments. Understanding these dynamic volatile dialogues provides new opportunities for microbiome engineering and sustainable crop production.
Authors 4
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Netherlands Institute of Ecology
Affiliation as printed
Netherlands Institute of Ecology NIOO-KNAW, Department of Microbial Ecology, Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB Wageningen, Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
University of Bonn, Kekulé-Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
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Leiden University · Netherlands Institute of Ecology
Affiliation as printed
Leiden University, Institute of Biology, Leiden 2333 BE, The Netherlands
Netherlands Institute of Ecology NIOO-KNAW, Department of Microbial Ecology, Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB Wageningen, Netherlands
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Maastricht University · Netherlands Institute of Ecology
Affiliation as printed
Maastricht University, System Earth Science, Nassaustraat 36, 5911 BV Venlo, The Netherlands
Netherlands Institute of Ecology NIOO-KNAW, Department of Microbial Ecology, Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB Wageningen, Netherlands
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