Microbial oligosaccharides differentially induce volatiles and signalling components in Medicago truncatula

In a bioassay-based approach microbial oligosaccharidic signals (pathogen elicitors and Nod-factors) were demonstrated to induce distinct emission patterns of volatile organic compounds. As potential mediators of this response changing levels of jasmonic acid and salicylic acid as well as overproduction of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide were monitored.