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Abstract
Induced systemic resistance (ISR) of plants against pathogens is a widespread phenomenon
that has been intensively investigated with respect to the underlying signalling pathways
as well as to its potential use in plant protection. Elicited by a local infection,
plants respond with a salicylic-dependent signalling cascade that leads to the systemic
expression of a broad spectrum and long-lasting disease resistance that is efficient
against fungi, bacteria and viruses. Changes in cell wall composition, de novo production
of pathogenesis-related-proteins such as chitinases and glucanases, and synthesis
of phytoalexins are associated with resistance, although further defensive compounds
are likely to exist but remain to be identified. In this Botanical Briefing we focus
on interactions between ISR and induced resistance against herbivores that is mediated
by jasmonic acid as a central signalling molecule. While many studies report cross-resistance,
others have found trade-offs, i.e. inhibition of one resistance pathway by the other.
Here we propose a framework that explains many of the thus far contradictory results.
We regard elicitation separately from signalling and from production, i.e. the synthesis
of defensive compounds. Interactions on all three levels can act independently from
each other.