Abstract

Modern agriculture control diseases by extensive application of chemicals, however, this strategy brings undesired effects, such as environmental contamination and development of pesticide-resistant pathogens. Therefore, the need to develop alternative or supplementary strategies to control crop diseases has arisen. Plant immunity relies on the capacity of each cell to recognize pathogen threat, through cell surface and intracellular receptors, initiating immune responses. Cell surface receptors are called Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) by their ability to recognizing characteristic microbial-derived molecules called microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). After PRR activation defence responses are elicited enabling the plant to ward off pathogen colonization. MAMPs are distinctive molecules present in bacteria or fungi, non-strain specific, such as bacterial flagellin and fungal endo-xylanases, which are recognized by specific PRRs, forming the MAMP/PRR recognition system that triggers the defence. Recent evidence shows that after MAMP exposure plant acquire resistance to pathogens, highlighting the potential of exploiting PRR activation for enhancing pathogen resistance crops fields.

Keywords: PRR; Elicitors; Plant immunity; MAMP/PRR recognition system

Abbreviations: SAR: Systemic Acquire Resistance; PRR: Pattern Recognition Receptors; MAMP: Microbial Associated Molecular Pattern