The comparative biochemistry of phytoalexin induction in plants

Phytoalexin induction is now recognised as an important defence mechanism i n plants against microbial infection. Earlier studies of this de novo resis tance process indicated that a range of different secondary metabolites wer e produced, but that broadly speaking the type of phytoalexin produced was family specific. This has been borne out by more recent research, although several families have now been recorded as producing more than one class of phytoalexin. This review provides a comprehensive account of phytoalexin i nduction throughout the plant kingdom, with special attention to comparativ e aspects. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.