Underground Signals: The Ecological Power of Root Volatiles
Abstract
Root volatiles mediate diverse belowground interactions among plants, microbes, and invertebrates, but biological and environmental conditions strongly influence their production, movement, perception, and ecological effects. This review synthesizes current knowledge through an integrative conceptual framework linking five dimensions: (1) chemical diversity and biosynthesis; (2) regulation by biotic and abiotic factors; (3) plant internal signaling and resource allocation; (4) ecological adaptation and reciprocal evolutionary interactions with soil organisms; and (5) implications for agricultural management. Key roles include defense against herbivores and pathogens, recruitment of beneficial microbes and natural enemies, plant recognition, allelopathy, systemic signaling between roots and shoots, and coordination across multitrophic networks. The synthesis examines how volatile identity and concentration, soil properties, microbial transformation, and plant genotype influence signal transmission and ecological outcomes. Comparisons across taxa, compounds, and experimental systems clarify which mechanisms are broadly supported and which remain context-dependent. Priorities include resolving molecular pathways, tracing volatile transport and persistence in soil, distinguishing volatile effects from those of nonvolatile exudates, and validating functions under field conditions. A deeper mechanistic and ecological understanding of root volatiles is therefore essential for developing resilient crop protection strategies, reducing dependence on agrochemical inputs, advancing sustainable agroecology, and sustaining long-term soil health.
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BibTeX
@article{cao2026underground,
title = {{Underground Signals: The Ecological Power of Root Volatiles}},
author = {Xueyao Cao and Nanli Song and François Verheggen and Meritxell Pérez-Hedo and Andrea Clavijo Mccormick and Antonino Cusumano and Arthur de Fouchier and Bing Wang and Chen‐zhu Wang and Emmanuelle Jacquin-Joly and Gary Felton and Geoff Gurr and Hao Guo and Jiancai Li and Jin Zhang and Li Chen and Manqun Wang and Michele Ricupero and Peng Han and Peng He and Qi Yan and Qingbo Tang and Qingsong Liu and Shiheng An and Xiangbo Kong and Xiaoling Sun and Xueming Ren and Yuanyuan Song and Yang Liu and Yanhui Guo and Yunhe Li and Xiao Sun},
journal = {Advanced Science},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1002/advs.202522148},
url = {https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-05759114v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Underground Signals: The Ecological Power of Root Volatiles
AU - Xueyao Cao
AU - Nanli Song
AU - François Verheggen
AU - Meritxell Pérez-Hedo
AU - Andrea Clavijo Mccormick
AU - Antonino Cusumano
AU - Arthur de Fouchier
AU - Bing Wang
AU - Chen‐zhu Wang
AU - Emmanuelle Jacquin-Joly
AU - Gary Felton
AU - Geoff Gurr
AU - Hao Guo
AU - Jiancai Li
AU - Jin Zhang
AU - Li Chen
AU - Manqun Wang
AU - Michele Ricupero
AU - Peng Han
AU - Peng He
AU - Qi Yan
AU - Qingbo Tang
AU - Qingsong Liu
AU - Shiheng An
AU - Xiangbo Kong
AU - Xiaoling Sun
AU - Xueming Ren
AU - Yuanyuan Song
AU - Yang Liu
AU - Yanhui Guo
AU - Yunhe Li
AU - Xiao Sun
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/21
JO - Advanced Science
DO - 10.1002/advs.202522148
UR - https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-05759114v1
AB - Root volatiles mediate diverse belowground interactions among plants, microbes, and invertebrates, but biological and environmental conditions strongly influence their production, movement, perception, and ecological effects. This review synthesizes current knowledge through an integrative conceptual framework linking five dimensions: (1) chemical diversity and biosynthesis; (2) regulation by biotic and abiotic factors; (3) plant internal signaling and resource allocation; (4) ecological adaptation and reciprocal evolutionary interactions with soil organisms; and (5) implications for agricultural management. Key roles include defense against herbivores and pathogens, recruitment of beneficial microbes and natural enemies, plant recognition, allelopathy, systemic signaling between roots and shoots, and coordination across multitrophic networks. The synthesis examines how volatile identity and concentration, soil properties, microbial transformation, and plant genotype influence signal transmission and ecological outcomes. Comparisons across taxa, compounds, and experimental systems clarify which mechanisms are broadly supported and which remain context-dependent. Priorities include resolving molecular pathways, tracing volatile transport and persistence in soil, distinguishing volatile effects from those of nonvolatile exudates, and validating functions under field conditions. A deeper mechanistic and ecological understanding of root volatiles is therefore essential for developing resilient crop protection strategies, reducing dependence on agrochemical inputs, advancing sustainable agroecology, and sustaining long-term soil health.
SN - 2198-3844
ER -