Plant Elicitors Definition

Plant elicitors in plants are usually exogenous factors associated with plant pests or diseases. Microscopically, the exciter molecule can attach to the receptor protein on the plant cell membrane. These special receptors are capable of recognizing the molecular structure of the elicitor and triggering the transmission of defense signals within the plant cell through immune response conduction. This response increases the synthesis of a series of metabolites in plants that can help reduce their damage and maintain resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental stress.

Different from the pesticide, and fertilizers, elicitors’ mode of action is as a beneficial warning to plants’ immune systems, inducing the action of defending from pests, and disease pathogens. It is the inner immune response, rather than an exogenous supplement.

Modern agriculture has developed several kinds of elicitors, like chitosan, chitosan oligosaccharide, and harpin protein.