Plant metabolomics to the benefit of crop protection and growth stimulation

Biotic and abiotic stresses strongly affect plant growth, quality of production and crop yield. Respectively biocontrol products and biostimulants have been proposed as agronomic tools to counteract those stresses. Research and development on biocontrol and biostimulant products require the study and characterization of the biotic and abiotic interactions involved in these processes. Plant metabolomics approach plays a key role in the identification of chemical mediators involved in these two types of interactions. Metabolomics is a useful tool for the characterization of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) involved in plant-insect interactions, or for the bioguided identification of active compounds from new raw materials. On the other hand, metabolomics approach can be used for the characterization of metabolic pathways affected by plant priming, biostimulant or elicitor application and/or for mechanistic study of Plant-PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) interaction through biomarker specific metabolic fingerprint study.