Biochemical Mechanisms of Plant Resistance Against Fungal and Bacterial Pathogens

Abstract

Plant pathogen interactions have significant implications (positively or negatively) for the productivity and tenacity of the agricultural environment and both fungal and bacterial pathogens pose threats to the world's harvest of crops. Plants have developed complex biochemical mechanism of defence against infection by pathogens or microorganisms, to detect and respond the infection and alleviate it. These mechanisms consist of production of phytoalexins, activation of pathogenesis related proteins, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, secondary metabolites production and activation of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and induced systemic resistance (ISR) pathway. This research is a review of the biochemical strategies involved in the resistance of plants against fungal and bacterial pathogens, in this case with emphasis in the signaling pathways, metabolism responses and cross-talk between defense mechanisms obtained at molecular levels. The understanding of these processes can be used in the development of disease resistant cultivars and sustainable plant protection strategies to minimize the use of chemical pesticides and optimize food security.