Role of phenolic compounds in plant defence: Induced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Phenolic compounds are important plant secondary metabolites for plant defence. The changes in the content of phenolic compounds induced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization have been reviewed and diverse changing patterns are discussed. AMF colonization changes the phenolic compounds both quantitatively and qualitatively, both locally and systemically. Soluble and cell wall-bound phenolics show different changes in response to AMF colonization. The increase in phenolic compounds content seems transient, but effective in inducing the enhanced resistance to microbial or animal pests. However, some questions still need to be addressed in the future.