The Roles of Cruciferae Glucosinolates in Disease and Pest Resistance

With the expansion of the area under Cruciferae vegetable cultivation, and an increase in the incidence of natural threats such as pests and diseases globally, Cruciferae vegetable losses caused by pathogens, insects, and pests are on the rise. As one of the key metabolites produced by Cruciferae vegetables, glucosinolate (GLS) is not only an indicator of their quality but also controls infestation by numerous fungi, bacteria, aphids, and worms. Today, the safe and pollution-free production of vegetables is advocated globally, and environmentally friendly pest and disease control strategies, such as biological control, to minimize the adverse impacts of pathogen and insect pest stress on Cruciferae vegetables, have attracted the attention of researchers. This review explores the mechanisms via which GLS acts as a defensive substance, participates in responses to biotic stress, and enhances plant tolerance to the various stress factors. According to the current research status, future research directions are also proposed.

Automated summary

With the expansion of Cruciferae vegetable cultivation and the increase in natural threats such as pests and diseases globally, losses of Cruciferae vegetables caused by pathogens, insects, and pests are rising. Glucosinolate (GLS), a key metabolite produced by Cruciferae vegetables, serves as both an indicator of quality and a control mechanism for infestations by various fungi, bacteria, aphids, and worms. Global advocacy for safe and pollution-free vegetable production is driving research into environmentally friendly pest and disease control strategies, such as biological control, to minimize the impact of pathogens and insect pests on Cruciferae vegetables.