My birth year article Plant Production and Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (1997) speaks to the importance of plant produced VOC. Outlining how they affect the atmosphere globally and how there is still much unknown to us about plants and their chemical reactions. The paper addresses the two most abundant VOCs, isoprene and monoterpene. These two chemicals are formed in the Mevalonic Acid Pathway and they are Isoprenoid hydrocarbons. Isoprenoid hydrocarbons are highly reactive which give these compounds much shorter lifetimes, often just hours in sunlight, leading to high turnover rates. Due to this, there is still much unknown about these chemicals, and there are continuing efforts in this field of research.
Isoprene’s ecological role is unclear, however it is likely that it increases the temperature threshold for damage for plants, meaning it helps to protect plants against sudden increases in thermal radiation. On the other hand, the ecological role of monoterpene has been known for a while. It is used as a herbivore deterrent, as a toxin to fight against fungal pathogens, and as a toxin delivery system. It’s important to study VOCs because these chemicals and emissions are one of the least understood aspects of plant physiology and ecology. Additionally, VOCs play an important role in the global atmosphere as they contribute to ozone production, methane oxidation, and the global carbon monoxide budget.
(Word Count: 225)
Reference:
Lerdau, Guenther, A., & Monson, R. (1997). Plant production and emission of volatile organic compounds. Bioscience, 47(6), 373–383. https://doi.org/10.2307/1313152
Applied Plant Ecology Winter 2020 