Biosynthesis, Regulation, and Ecological Roles of Plant Volatile Organic Compounds

Plants synthesize a diverse array of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as part of their secondary metabolism. These compounds act as important chemical signals that mediate interactions between plants and insects. VOCs can function as direct defenses by repelling herbivores, indirect defenses by attracting natural enemies, or as cues that guide pollinators. The main classes of plant-derived VOCs include terpenoids, green leaf volatiles, and aromatic compounds. Many of these volatiles are rapidly induced in response to herbivore attack or other biotic and abiotic stresses. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, and ecological metabolomics have significantly expanded our understanding of the biosynthetic pathways and regulatory mechanisms involved in VOC production. Increasing attention has also been paid to how plants fine-tune VOC emissions depending on developmental stage, tissue type, environmental conditions, and ecological interactions. Elucidating these mechanisms is not only fundamental to plant biology but also essential for developing sustainable strategies in agriculture, including pest control, pollinator conservation, and ecologically based crop protection.

This Research Topic aims to uncover how plants biosynthesize and regulate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in response to internal cues and external stimuli, and how these volatiles mediate key ecological interactions. We seek to explore the genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors that shape VOC profiles across different tissues, developmental stages, and stress conditions. Understanding the origin and regulation of VOCs is essential to deciphering their roles in attracting pollinators, deterring herbivores, and recruiting beneficial organisms. This knowledge also holds great potential for enhancing plant resilience and ecological services in both natural and agricultural systems.

We welcome submissions across disciplines, including plant molecular biology, chemical ecology, evolutionary biology, and agricultural sciences. Specific areas of interest include:

• Biosynthesis and regulation of plant volatiles under biotic and abiotic stimuli

• VOC-mediated attraction of pollinators and natural enemies

• Herbivore deterrence and cross-kingdom signaling via volatiles

• Tissue-specific and developmental patterns of VOC emission

• Evolutionary and ecological perspectives on VOC diversification

• Applications of VOCs in ecological engineering or pest management

We encourage submissions of original research, reviews, methods, and perspectives that integrate molecular, metabolic, and ecological approaches.

Keywords: Plant volatiles, pollination ecology, insect-plant interactions, herbivore resistance, indirect defense, tritrophic signaling, volatile biosynthesis, sustainable agriculture

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.