Light, hormones and perfumes

BALLARE CARLOS L

Utrecht

Conferencia; European Plant Science Retreat; 2018

Light, hormones and perfumes Carlos L. Ballaréhttp://epl.agro.uba.ar@BallareCLPlants detect and respond to the proximity of competitors using light signals perceived by informational photoreceptors. A low red to far-red (R:FR) ratio in the canopy light is a signal of competition that is sensed by phytochrome B (phyB). Low R:FR ratios increase the synthesis of growth-related hormones, which allows plants to rapidly elongate their shoots and avoid being shaded by their neighbors. Recent research demonstrates that phyB is also an important modulator of the hormonal pathways that regulate plant immunity against herbivores and pathogens. Low R:FR ratios down-regulate defense responses regulated by the jasmonic acid (JA). This down-regulation is thought to help the plant to efficiently redirect resources from defense to rapid growth under conditions of intense competition. Intriguingly, some defense responses based on the production of volatile compounds and controlled by JA seem to be potentiated under conditions of low R:FR. In this presentation, I will discuss recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms that link phyB with JA signaling and metabolism, and explore their functional implications. Unveiling the molecular links between photoreceptors and the hormonal modulators of plant immunity is important to generate a mechanistic framework to understand how plants deal with resource allocation trade-offs under natural conditions. This knowledge is also critically needed to design innovative ways to protect crops against pests and diseases without increasing the use of toxic chemicals.