Catabolism of volatile organic compounds influences plant survival

• VOC catabolism can enhance growth rates and increase tolerance to oxidative stress.
• Uptake of VOCs from the atmosphere has implications for air quality.
• The degradation of VOC signals can hinder plant defense and reproduction.
• VOC catabolism and degradation are important pathways influencing plant survival.

Plants emit a diverse array of phytogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The production and emission of VOCs has been an important area of research for decades. However, recent research has revealed the importance of VOC catabolism by plants and VOC degradation in the atmosphere for plant growth and survival. Specifically, VOC catabolism and degradation have implications for plant C balance, tolerance to environmental stress, plant signaling, and plant–atmosphere interactions. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of VOC catabolism and degradation, propose experiments for investigating VOC catabolism, and suggest ways to incorporate catabolism into VOC emission models. Improving our knowledge of VOC catabolism and degradation is crucial for understanding plant metabolism and predicting plant survival in polluted environments.