Antifungal activity of phytoalexins in plant defense against fungal diseases

Abstract

Plants activate the defense strategies to combat fungal invasion by producing some chemical compounds, for example, the phytoalexins. They are ones of the most valuable secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activities. Various types of phytoalexin production are based on plant species. Accumulation of phytoalexins has been shown to limit the severity of pathogens in some hosts, i.e. Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Vitaceae and Poaceae plants. Recent advances in fungal-plant host interaction are addressed in this review. The mode of action and application of phytoalexins in agricultural fields are discussed.