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Root Exudation and Rhizosphere Biology: Multiple Functions of a Plant Secondary Metabolite

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Book cover Communication in Plants

Abstract

Plant root exudates have important effects on plant and soil communities, mediating positive and antagonistic plant-plant and plant-microbe interactions, and altering soil processes. Here, we discuss the potential for a single plant secondary metabolite to serve multiple functions in the rhizosphere. Secondary metabolites that serve multiple functions may provide plants with multiple benefits at relatively low metabolic cost, with consequences for competitive ability, disease resistance, and resource availability. Specifically, we describe recent research on (±)-catechin, a secondary metabolite exuded from the roots of the invasive weed Centaurea maculosa. Depending on concentration and the species that are present, (±)-catechin has the potential to act as an allelochemical, autoinhibitor, and antimicrobial agent, and to increase soil nutrient availability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Rhizosphere Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA

    Laura G. Perry, Tiffany L. Weir, Balakrishnan Prithiviraj, Mark W. Paschke & Jorge M. Vivanco

  2. Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA

    Laura G. Perry

  3. Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA

    Laura G. Perry

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  1. Laura G. Perry
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  2. Tiffany L. Weir
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  3. Balakrishnan Prithiviraj
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  4. Mark W. Paschke
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  5. Jorge M. Vivanco
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, University of Bonn, Kirschallee 1, 53115, Bonn, Germany

    František Baluška  & Dieter Volkmann  & 

  2. Department of Horticulture Electrophysiology Laboratory, University of Florence, Viale delle Idee 30, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

    Stefano Mancuso

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Perry, L.G., Weir, T.L., Prithiviraj, B., Paschke, M.W., Vivanco, J.M. (2006). Root Exudation and Rhizosphere Biology: Multiple Functions of a Plant Secondary Metabolite. In: Baluška, F., Mancuso, S., Volkmann, D. (eds) Communication in Plants. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-28516-8_27

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