Plant Phenolics and Their Versatile Promising Role in the Management of Nematode Stress

Biotic stress which is caused by various insects, viruses, fungi, bacteria, etc., and abiotic stress which is caused by various stressors for instance, drought, flood, elevated temperature, light, heavy metals etc. These stressors influence the growth, development and productivity of plant at large extent. Biotic stresses influence photosynthesis because chewing insects decreases the leaf area and viral infection decreases the photosynthesis rate per leaf area. Like sponges, corals, and anemones, plants also act in response to various stress situations with the alterations in the expression of genes, protein patterns that can control metabolite biosynthesis concerned with the relations between a plant and its surroundings. Polyphenols are the most important class of special types of metabolites that shows vital physiological role during the life cycle of plant which includes responses to stress conditions. Therefore, in this chapter we have discussed about the functions of various polyphenols like “phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans and stilbenoids” in the management of biotic stress. Therefore, this chapter was aimed to focus mainly on biotic stress, and its management by plant phenolics.