cis-Jasmone induces accumulation of defence compounds in wheat, Triticum aestivum

• Published in: Phytochemistry (Oxford) Vol. 69; no. 1; pp. 9 - 17
• Main Authors: Moraes, Maria C. Blassioli, Birkett, Michael A., Gordon-Weeks, Ruth, Smart, Lesley E., Martin, Janet L., Pye, Barry J., Bromilow, Richard, Pickett, John A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acetamides; Allelochemicals; benzoxazinoid; Benzoxazinoids; Biological and medical sciences; cis-Jasmone; Cyclopentanes - pharmacology; Diazomethane - analogs & derivatives; Diazomethane - chemistry; Fluoroacetates; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Generalities. Disease free stocks; Gramineae; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring - analysis; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring - chemistry; jasmone; jasmonic acid; Liquid phase extraction; Oxylipins - pharmacology; pest resistance; Phenolic acids; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; plant biochemistry; Plant Components, Aerial - chemistry; Plant Components, Aerial - drug effects; Plant Components, Aerial - metabolism; Plant Roots - chemistry; Plant Roots - drug effects; secondary metabolites; Solvents - chemistry; Trifluoroacetic Acid - chemistry; Trimethylsilyl Compounds - chemistry; Triticum - chemistry; Triticum - drug effects; Triticum - metabolism; Triticum - physiology; Triticum aestivum; Vapor phase extraction; Volatilization; Wheat; VAN; MBOA; Benzoxazinoids; Liquid phase extraction; PHB; cis-Jasmone; cis-FER; HBOA; SYR; trans-FER; Allelochemicals; Phenolic acids; DIBOA; Vapor phase extraction; BOA; HMBOA; Gramineae; trans- p-COU; Wheat; DIMBOA; Triticum aestivum; Terpenoid; Monocotyledones; Root; Phenolic acid; Ph- enolic acids; Cereal crop; Pest; Animal plant relation; Angiospermae; Defense mechanism; Above ground plant part; Spermatophyta; Secondary metabolism
• ISSN: 0031-9422; 1873-3700
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.06.020

The impact of the plant activator, cis-jasmone, upon the secondary metabolism of wheat seedlings, Triticum aestivum cv. Solstice, was investigated. Increased levels of benzoxazinoids, such as DIMBOA, and phenolic acids were observed in treated plants. These results show, for the first time, that cis-jasmone can induce production of compounds capable of directly reducing the development of insect pests, diseases and weeds. Liquid phase extraction (LPE) and vapor phase extraction (VPE) methodologies were used to evaluate the impact of the plant activator, cis-jasmone, on the secondary metabolism of wheat, Triticum aestivum, var. Solstice. LPE allowed the measurement of benzoxazinoids, i.e. 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2 H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4 H)-one (DIMBOA), 2-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (HMBOA) and 6-methoxy-benzoxazolin-2-one (MBOA), and phenolic acids such as trans- p-coumaric acid, syringic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid and cis- and trans-ferulic acid. Using LPE, a significantly higher level of DIMBOA was found in aerial parts and roots of T. aestivum following treatment with cis-jasmone, when compared with untreated plants. Similar results were obtained for phenolic acids, such as trans-ferulic acid and vanillic acid in roots. Using VPE, it was possible to measure levels of 2-hydroxy-7-methoxy-(2 H)-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4 H)-one (HBOA), benzoxazolin-2(3H)-one (BOA), ferulic acid, syringic acid and coumaric acid. The levels of HBOA in aerial parts and roots were significantly greater in cis-jasmone treated plants compared to untreated plants. cis-Jasmone is known to be a plant activator in terms of production of defence-related volatile semiochemicals that repel aphids and increase the foraging activity of aphid parasitoids. These results show, for the first time, that cis-jasmone also induces selective production of secondary metabolites that are capable of directly reducing development of pests, diseases and weeds.