Plant Phenolics Role in Bacterial Disease Stress Management in Plants

Plant phenolic compounds carry out plentiful functions in plant–microbe pathogenic interactions. Some phenolic compounds are produced constitutively by plant on routinely basis while others are induced in response to any tissue damage or pathogen attack. Their vital contribution in constitutive and inducible strategies of plant innate immunity has been supported by robust experimental evidences. Past two decades have witnessed many breakthroughs concerning the biosynthesis, accumulation, transport and perception of phenolic compounds induced upon pathogen attack. These outcomes validate the critical role of phenolic compounds in both local and systemic acquired resistance (SAR). This review discusses the strategies of plant immunity against bacterial diseases in the context of phenolic compounds viz. role in bacterial disease resistance via phytoalexins and phytoanticipins, rapid alterations in cell wall to protect bacterial entry and highlighting the crucial role of salicylic acid in inducing SAR. This study might be important in understanding dynamic nature of phenolics in disease resistance against pathogens.