How does biofumigation work?
Biofumigation is a strategy which uses plants, mainly belonging to the Brassica family, that produce chemicals called glucosinolates. When the tissues of these plants are damaged, these glucosinolates are broken down by an enzyme to release various substances – including isothiocynates (ITC’s).
What is Biofumigation soil?
Biofumigation is an approach to soilborne pest and pathogen management that involves the use of plants primarily from the Brassicaceae family (e.g., mustards, cauliflower, and broccoli) in rotation with cash crops (Kirkegaard et al., 1993).
What do glucosinolates do?
Recent studies have shown beneficial effects of glucosinolates, including regulatory functions in inflammation, stress response, phase I metabolism, and antioxidant activities, as well as direct antimicrobial properties.
What are Biofumigant cover crops?
Biofumigation is the practice of growing specialised cover crops for suppression of soilborne pathogens, pests and weeds. The cover crop produces naturally occurring compounds that are toxic to many soilborne pathogens that impact on Australian vegetable crops.
How do glucosinolates protect a plant?
Glucosinolates are hydrolyzed by the enzyme myrosinase on injury to plant to produce isothiocyanates and subsequently by PAL to toxic compounds injurious to the pathogen.
What is glucosinolates in plants?
Glucosinolates are an important group of plant secondary metabolites found in Brassicaceae. They are part of plant defense responses against insects, fungal and bacterial pathogens, are responsible for taste and flavor of cruciferous vegetables, and have beneficial health properties.
What is the purpose of glucosinolates?
They are enzymatically hydrolyzed to produce sulfate ions, D-glucose, and characteristic degradation products such as isothiocyanates. The functions of glucosinolates in the plants remain unclear, but isothiocyanates possessing a pungent or irritating taste and odor might be associated with plant defense from microbes.
What are examples of glucosinolates?
Examples of glucosinolates found in Brassicaceae vegetables….Table 1.
| Common name | Chemical name (side chain R) |
|---|---|
| Indole glucosinolate | |
| Glucobrassicin | 3-lndolyl methyl |
| 4-Hydroxyglucobrassicin | 4-Hydroxy-3-indolymethyl |
| 4-Methoxyglucobrassicin | 4-Methoxy-3-indolylmethyl |
How do glucosinolates help plants?
The major role of glucosinolates in plants is believed to be responses to external or environmental stimuli. Glucosinolates are also involved in communicating and triggering a range of information pertaining to plant defense against insects, some food bacteria, and against some fungi.
How does glucosinolates provide a defense for plants against being eaten?
Glucosinolates are responsible for the typical sharp taste in these edibles. These compounds themselves are not biological active, but if they are hydrolysed by myrosinases different breakdown products are produced which contribute to plant defence.
What do glucosinolates do in plants?
How glucosinolates provide a defense for plants against being eaten?