New chemical signals in plant protection against herbivores and weeds

摘要

Studies leading to the identification of cis-jasmone as a plant derived signal of potential value in protection of cereals against aphids are described. Unpublished work on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which cis-jasmone exerts a persistent effect is reviewed, in particular the potential role of cis-jasmone in upregulating expression, in Arabidopsis thaliana, of genes potentially associated with its own biosynthesis and response by plants. The possibility for similar approaches to weed control is evidenced, using the example of allelopathic control of the witchweed Striga hermonthica in subsistence cereals by intercropping with the forage legume Desmodium uncinatum.