Volatile organic compounds in food security: The role of neglected and underutilized legumes

Abstract

The significance of neglected and underutilized species in ameliorating micronutrient deficiency, food security, income generation and enhanced livelihood cannot be doubted. This chapter reviewed current knowledge on the expression patterns and functions of some leguminous plants proteome in response to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during biotic and abiotic stresses. The biogenesis of VOCs and their functional role in plant-plant signalling, environmental and biological stress responses were highlighted. Experimental evidences revealed that plant symbiont produce VOCs that induce resistance to phytopathological species and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). The response to biotic and abiotic flux is achieved through protein production which confer resistance and survival ability to the plant through induced resistance patterns either by induced systemic resistance (ISR) or systemic acquired resistance (SAR). VOCs induced protein production under biotic stress related to bacterial and fungal infection. Bioprospecting of VOCs in legumes is advocated for improved food security as well as domestication and exploitation of their enormous potential for sustainable agriculture. The practical application of VOCs as source of allelochemical in natural and agroecosystem towards improvement of crop productivity is emphasized.