Application of Oligosaccharides to Induce Innate Immunity in Plants

Abstract

Plants have innate immune systems and protective mechanisms to resist the attack of pathogenic microorganisms. Unlike mammals, they lack mobile defensive cells and therefore rely on autonomous cell events for protection. These cells have a wide range of recognition capabilities for detecting pathogens, thus filling the gap of the adaptive immune system. These protective mechanisms will remain inactive or latent until they are activated after exposure to inducers or application of stimuli. Only after they are affected by pathogens or the same elicitors do they begin to show an active state. The role of oligosaccharides in plant immunity is gradually attracting widespread attention. Therefore, this paper summarizes the functions of oligosaccharides related to plant immunity and provides examples of induced defense events. The recognition of sugar molecules as signal molecules in plants has also been proposed. In this review, we focus on the development andapplication of oligosaccharides in plant immunity and their potential value in agricultural field.