Chapters authored
Influence of Exogenously Supplemented Caffeine on Cell Division, Germination, and Growth of Economically Important Plants
Caffeine is a plant secondary metabolite of antiherbivory, allelopathic, and antibacterial activity. In our previous study, caffeine was shown to be an effective agent toward plant pathogenic bacteria causing high economic losses in crop production worldwide. Current study indicated that growth media supplementation with soil or plant extract did not interfere with antibacterial action of caffeine against Clavibacter michiganensis, Dickeya solani, Pectobacterium atrosepticum, Pectobacterium carotovorum, Pseudomonas syringae, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Xanthomonas campestris. The impact of caffeine on plant cell division, seed germination and growth of economically important plants was evaluated to assess possible applicability of caffeine in plant protection field. Caffeine impaired plant cell division process and inhibited in vitro germination of tomato and lettuce. Regeneration of potato explants was also negatively affected by the addition of caffeine. However, caffeine spraying or watering of tomato, lettuce and cabbage grown in soil did not impair plant development. Although the tested plants accumulated caffeine, its inner quantity was reduced by peeling and/or cooking. According to the results, caffeine warrants additional attention as a useful, natural compound designated for the control of bacterial plant pathogens. Proposed treatment seems promising especially in the case of providing protection for overwinter-stored table potato tubers.
Part of the book: The Question of Caffeine