Abstract
The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is a very destructive crucifer-specialized pest that has resulted in significant crop losses worldwide. DBM is well attracted to glucosinolates (which act as fingerprints and essential for herbivores in host plant recognition) containing crucifers such as wintercress, Barbarea vulgaris (Brassicaceae) despite poor larval survival on it due to high-to-low concentration of saponins and generally to other plants in the genus Barbarea. B. vulgaris build up resistance against DBM and other herbivorous insects using glucosinulates which are used in plant defense. Aside glucosinolates, Barbarea genus also contains triterpenoid saponins, which are toxic to insects and act as feeding deterrents for plant specialist herbivores (such as DBM). Previous studies have found interesting relationship between the host plant and secondary metabolite contents, which indicate that attraction or resistance to specialist herbivore DBM, is due to higher concentrations of glucosinolates and saponins in younger leaves in contrast to the older leaves of Barbarea genus. As a response to this phenomenon, herbivores as DBM has developed a strategy of defense against these plant biochemicals. Because there is a lack of full knowledge in understanding bioactive molecules (such as saponins) role in plant defense against plant herbivores. Thus, in this review, we discuss the role of secondary plant metabolites in plant defense mechanisms against the specialist herbivores. In the future, trials by plant breeders could aim at transferring these bioactive molecules against herbivore to cash crops.
Highlights
The capacity of individual plant species to develop novel metabolites has been affirmed in charge of their imperviousness to plant herbivores
Glucosinolates and saponins play an important role in the plant defense against specialist herbivores
The chemical basis of previously reported flea beetle resistance in the G-type of B. vulgaris var. arcuata is unknown, but resistance is not correlated to glucosinolates or glucosinolate levels [235]
Summary
The capacity of individual plant species to develop novel metabolites has been affirmed in charge of their imperviousness to plant herbivores. Plants have developed surprising diversity of substance protections against plant herbivores in light of bioactive mixtures of low atomic weight. A case of the bioactive mixtures utilized by plants in this regard are the triterpenoid saponins (Figure 1); which encourages plant immunity against a wide range of insect pests, pathogens, as well as other herbivores. 1. Triterpenoids saponins identified in Barbarea vulgaris.
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