Abstract
Plants incessantly encounter abiotic and biotic stresses that limit their growth and productivity. However, conversely, plant growth can also be induced by treatments with various abiotic and biotic elicitors. Carrageenans are sulfated linear polysaccharides that represent major cellular constituents of seaweeds belonging to red algae (Rhodophyta). Recent research has unraveled the biological activity of carrageenans and of their oligomeric forms, the oligo carrageenans (OCs), as promoters of plant growth and as elicitors of defense responses against pests and diseases. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms by which carrageenans and OCs mediate plant growth and plant defense responses. Carrageenans and OCs improve plant growth by regulating various metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and ancillary pathways, cell division, purine and pyrimidine synthetic pathways as well as metabolic pathways involved in nitrogen and sulfur assimilation. Carrageenans and OCs also induce plant defense responses against viroids, viruses, bacteria, fungi and insects by modulating the activity of different defense pathways, including salicylate, jasmonate and ethylene signaling pathways. Further studies will likely substantiate the beneficial effects of carrageenans and of OCs on plant growth and plant defense responses and open new avenues for their use in agriculture and horticultural industry.
Highlights
Marine organisms such as bacteria, microalgae and seaweeds constitute approximately one-half of the global biodiversity and the oceans represent an enormous source of functional compounds produced by these biological systems, including various polysaccharides (Courtois, 2009; de Jesus Raposo et al, 2013, 2015; Ahmadi et al, 2015), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (Russell and Nichols, 1999), vitamins, anti-oxidants (Rocha de Souza et al, 2007), enzymes and bioactive peptides (Campo et al, 2009; Shahidi and Ambigaipalan, 2015)
Carrageenans are represented by a number of naturally occurring anionic sulfated linear polysaccharides present in a variety of red algae (Rhodophyta)
Though the information on the effects of carrageenans on plant systems is still rather limited, in this review we discuss the advancements in this field of research, focusing on the molecular mechanisms through which carrageenans promote plant growth and induce plant defense responses, resulting in increased plant productivity and protection
Summary
Marine organisms such as bacteria, microalgae and seaweeds constitute approximately one-half of the global biodiversity and the oceans represent an enormous source of functional compounds produced by these biological systems, including various polysaccharides (Courtois, 2009; de Jesus Raposo et al, 2013, 2015; Ahmadi et al, 2015), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (Russell and Nichols, 1999), vitamins, anti-oxidants (Rocha de Souza et al, 2007), enzymes and bioactive peptides (Campo et al, 2009; Shahidi and Ambigaipalan, 2015). Though the information on the effects of carrageenans on plant systems is still rather limited, in this review we discuss the advancements in this field of research, focusing on the molecular mechanisms through which carrageenans promote plant growth and induce plant defense responses, resulting in increased plant productivity and protection.
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