Sniffing bacterial volatile compounds for healthier plants

Bacterial volatile compounds (BVCs) are not waste or by-products of primary metabolism but rather have critical roles in the biology and ecological competence of bacteria. BVCs are exploited as a source of nutrients and information in plant–bacteria interactions. They target key points in plant physiology, activating downstream metabolic pathways by a domino effect. BVCs are an ancient signal and are involved in plant–bacteria communication, which was shaped during evolutionary history and established before the development of higher plants. This type of communication is not exclusive to mutualistic interactions, because pathogens also use volatiles to alter plant physiology. Here, fragmented information is drawn together to provide a clearer view of how BVCs affect such interactions.