title: Root exudates: the hidden part of plant defense.
abstract: The significance of root exudates as belowground defense substances has long been underestimated, presumably due to being buried out of sight. Nevertheless, this chapter of root biology has been progressively addressed within the past decade through the characterization of novel constitutively secreted and inducible phytochemicals that directly repel, inhibit, or kill pathogenic microorganisms in the rhizosphere. In addition, the complex transport machinery involved in their export has been considerably unraveled. It has become evident that the profile of defense root exudates is not only diverse in its composition, but also strikingly dynamic. In this review, we discuss current knowledge of the nature and regulation of root-secreted defense compounds and the role of transport proteins in modulating their release.
authors: Institute of Plant Biology, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: baetzu@botinst.uzh.ch.
authors: Ulrike
authors: U
authors: Baetz
authors: Institute of Plant Biology, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Enrico
authors: E
authors: Martinoia
mesh_terms: D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D053147:Plant Exudates / Q000378:metabolism*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D058441:Rhizosphere
chemical_list: D053147:Plant Exudates
keywords: ABC transporter; border cells; defense; pathogens; rhizosphere; root exudates