Ndakidemi Patrick A, Dakora Felix D
Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Technikon, PO Box 652, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa.
Research Development, Cape Technikon, PO Box 652, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa. Corresponding author; email:
Funct Plant Biol. 2003 Aug;30(7):729-745. doi: 10.1071/FP03042.
Flavonoids and nitrogenous metabolites such as alkaloids, terpenoids, peptides and amino acids are major components of plant seeds. Conjugated forms of these compounds are soluble in water, and therefore, are easily released as chemical signals following imbibition. Once in the soil, these metabolites are first in line to serve as eco-sensing signals for suitable rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal partners required for the establishment of symbiotic mutualisms. They may also serve as defence molecules against pathogens and insect pests, as well as playing a role in the control of parasitic members of the family Scrophulariaceae, especially Striga, a major plant pest of cereal crops in Africa. Seed metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, peptides and amino acids define seedling growth and, ultimately, crop yields. Thus, an improvement in our understanding of seed chemistry would permit manipulation of these molecules for effective control of pathogens, insect pests, Striga and destructive weeds, as well as for enhanced acquisition of N and P via symbioses with soil rhizobia and AM fungi.
黄酮类化合物以及含氮代谢产物，如生物碱、萜类化合物、肽和氨基酸，是植物种子的主要成分。这些化合物的共轭形式可溶于水，因此在种子吸胀后很容易作为化学信号释放出来。一旦进入土壤，这些代谢产物首先会作为生态感应信号，吸引合适的根瘤菌和丛枝菌根（AM）真菌伙伴，以建立共生互利关系。它们还可以作为抵御病原体和害虫的防御分子，以及在控制玄参科寄生植物成员，特别是非洲谷类作物的主要害虫独脚金方面发挥作用。种子代谢产物，如黄酮类化合物、生物碱、萜类化合物、肽和氨基酸，决定了幼苗的生长，最终也决定了作物产量。因此，增进我们对种子化学的理解，将有助于操控这些分子，以有效控制病原体、害虫、独脚金和有害杂草，以及通过与土壤根瘤菌和AM真菌的共生作用增强氮和磷的获取。
