In agriculture, there is the pressing challenge to control pests and diseases without compromising the health of the environment and people. With the use of chemicals increasingly restricted and their efficacy increasingly compromised by the resistance developed by pathogens, elicitors in plants are presented as an essential strategy for the biological control of pests and diseases due to their capacity to activate the natural defenses of plants.
What are elicitors and how do they work?
Elicitors are molecules that work as plant defense activators, derived from plant extracts, fungi, phytohormones, pathogens and secondary metabolites. There are two main types of elicitors in plants: endogenous elicitors, which are internal compounds that trigger the plant’s immune response, and exogenous elicitors, which are derived from pathogens, synthetic chemicals, natural compounds or beneficial fungi. These elicitors act at the induction points of immunity, generating cascade responses involving numerous defense genes.
Defensive responses are activated primarily through two metabolic pathways:
- The Salicylic Acid (SA) pathway.
- The Jasmonic Acid (JA) pathway.
Balance between Salicylic Acid (AS) and Jasmonic Acid (AJ)
The balance between the salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) pathways is essential for an efficient defensive response and healthy plant growth. An imbalance in the activation of these pathways can increase vulnerability to certain types of attacks.
An excess of AS can make plants more susceptible to insects and pathogens, while an excess of AJ can reduce the effectiveness of resilience against pathogens and, in some cases, inhibit plant growth by diverting resources towards defence production rather than growth promotion.
It is therefore essential that elicitor-based products are formulated to activate both pathways in a balanced way, providing complete protection without compromising plant health and development.
The complexity of elicitors as plant defense activators
Proper application of elicitors in plants is crucial to ensure their effectiveness. Unlike other pathogen and pest control strategies, the use of elicitors demands specialized technical knowledge to maximize their effectiveness. Several aspects need to be kept in mind when applying them:
- Dosage and application: Dosage and form of application are critical to the efficacy of elicitors in plants. Incorrect applications may not adequately activate plant defenses or, on the contrary, may induce an excessive response that negatively affects growth.
- Compatibility with other products: Elicitors must be compatible with other phytosanitary treatments and fertilizers to avoid negative interactions that may reduce their efficacy or that of other products.
- Environmental conditions: Factors such as temperature, humidity and light can influence plant response to elicitors. It is essential to consider these variables to optimize the timing and manner of application.
- Monitoring and evaluation: The use of elicitors in plants should be accompanied by continuous monitoring to evaluate their effectiveness and adjust management strategies as necessary. This includes observing plants for signs of defense activation and conducting laboratory tests if necessary.
BestCure Elicitors as Plant Defense Activators
Futureco Bioscience has developed BestCure, a product based on citrus extracts that beside biocide activity, activates natural plant defenses and controls fungal and bacterial diseases without affecting biomass production.
BestCure contains elicitor compounds that interact with the salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) pathways, activating both Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) and Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR). SAR, mediated by AS, prepares the plant to resist to infections, while ISR, mediated by AJ and ethylene, strengthens defenses against pathogens and insects.
In this context, BestCure offers several advantages:
- Comprehensive activation of natural plant defenses by stimulating both Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) and Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR), providing complete protection against pathogens.
- It ensures a balance between defense and growth, as it is designed to not compromise plant growth and to maintain plant vigor and productivity.
- Promotes a systemic defensive response, efficiently preparing plants for future attacks.
In conclusion, elicitors in plants represent a fundamental tool in the biological control of pests and diseases thanks to their capability of working as plant defense activators. However, their use in agriculture is complex and must always be studied on a case-by-case basis. Futureco Bioscience’s BestCure demonstrates how it is possible to integrate these advanced technologies into agricultural practice, optimizing crop health and productivity in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.