Exploring changes in volatile organic compounds profiles of tomato plants infected with phytoplasmas

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants play a crucial role in plant-pathogen interactions. This study investigated the changes in VOC profiles of tomato plants infected with potato purple top (PPT) phytoplasma to better understand the role of each VOC in disease symptom development. VOC profiles were systematically compared between PPT phytoplasma-infected and control tomatoes using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with electron ionization (EI) mode. Among the VOCs identified in the study, at least eight were differentially emitted by infected and control plants. The work was then continued on a single VOC, α-copaene, which was emitted throughout the experiment, but its level differed in three different infection stages. Further studies will be performed to determine whether changes in VOC emission patterns could be used as a marker to detect plant diseases associated with phytoplasmas. This study provides new insights into the underlying mechanisms of phytoplasma pathogenesis and plant defence.