Improving Plant Tolerance to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses Through Bacterial Volatile Compounds

Various bacteria exhibit the capacity to synthesize diverse secondary metabolites, facilitating their adaptation to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Unlike primary metabolites, which play specific roles in regular growth and development, secondary metabolites may only be produced during particular developmental stages or under specific circumstances. Many of these secondary metabolites have been identified as key players in microbial interactions. Among them, volatile compounds, constituting a significant subgroup of secondary metabolites, have garnered increasing attention in both microbe-microbe and microbe-plant interactions. Despite their significance, our understanding of the biological and ecological roles, as well as the modes of action, of volatile compounds remains limited. This chapter provides a concise overview of the biological and ecological functions of volatile compounds, shedding light on their potential applications. In this chapter, we aim to contribute to the current knowledge gap and stimulate further research into the multifaceted roles and applications of volatile compounds in microbial ecosystems.