Chitosan is involved in elicitation of vestitol production in Lotus japonicus

Plants are often exposed to different abiotic and biotic stresses that induce multigene response, resulting in specific modulations in primary and secondary metabolite accumulation (Zhao et al. 2005). Low molecular mass compounds absent in healthy tissues or present only in insignificant amounts are produced by plants in significant quantities as a response to biotic stresses (mainly to attack by fungi or bacteria) are collectively called phytoalexins. They take part in an intricate defence system which enables plants to control invading patogens (Jeandet et al. 2014). Phytoalexins have been described in number of plants belonging to different families including those of economic importance such as Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Vitaceae, and Poaceae (Ahuja et al. 2012).