Metabolomic analysis of host plant biochemistry could improve the effectiveness and safety of classical weed biocontrol

Plant metabolomics is the study of plant biochemistry at the molecular level, elucidating both known and unknown metabolites (intermediate or end products of metabolism) in biological samples. This technique combines analytical chemistry, bioinformatics and multivariate statistics, allowing characterisation of the biochemical profile of a plant and identification of biochemical phenotypes. Metabolomic analyses of plants is now relatively commonplace, but a literature review showed little evidence that this technology is being applied to support weed biocontrol programmes. Understanding invasive plant biochemical phenotypes, and the biotic and abiotic influences determining that phenotype, could provide valuable information to assist with agent-selection decisions in weed biocontrol programmes, with potential to improve agent establishment rates and overall impacts on target weeds. Plant metabolomics could also further refine the determination of potential non-target taxa in host specificity testing, currently based on the centrifugal phylogenetic relatedness method. Metabolomics is a constantly evolving and powerful tool which can elucidate the complex biochemical interactions between plants and insects or pathogens. In this review, we explore how abiotic and biotic stressors may alter a plants biochemical phenotype, which may consequently affect insect herbivore performance. We provide a brief explanation of the key concepts in metabolomic technologies then examine a range of potential applications which may benefit weed biocontrol programmes.

Automated summary

Plant metabolomics is a discipline that studies plant biochemistry at the molecular level, identifying biochemical characteristics and metabolites. However, this technology is not widely applied in supporting weed biocontrol programs. Understanding plant biochemical phenotypes and the influences of biotic and abiotic factors is crucial for agent selection and non-target identification in weed biocontrol.