Role of Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds in Promoting Plant Growth and Disease Resistance in Horticultural Production

ABSTRACT

Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) are a diverse group of volatile organic compounds that microorganisms may produce and release into the environment. These compounds have both positive and negative effects on plants, as they have been shown to be effective at mitigating stresses and functioning as immune stimulants. Furthermore, MVOCs modulate plant growth and systemic plant resistance, while also serving as attractants or repellents for insects and other stressors that pose threats to plants. Considering the economic value of strawberries as one of the most popular and consumed fruits worldwide, harnessing the benefits of MVOCs becomes particularly significant. MVOCs offer cost-effective and efficient solutions for disease control and pest management in horticultural production, as they can be utilized at low concentrations. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on microorganisms that contribute to the production of beneficial volatile organic compounds for enhancing disease resistance in fruit products, with a specific emphasis on broad horticultural production. The review also identifies research gaps and highlights the functions of MVOCs in horticulture, along with the different types of MVOCs that impact plant disease resistance in strawberry production. By offering a novel perspective on the application and utilization of volatile organic compounds in sustainable horticulture, this review presents an innovative approach to maximizing the efficiency of horticultural production through the use of natural products.

KEYWORDS:

• Fruit quality
• Metabolite production
• MVOCs
• Pest control
• Plant disease resistance

1. Introduction

Microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria have made significant contributions to the quality of fruits, regardless of the fact that numerous research studies have described the defense mechanisms employed by plants. As growth stimulants and mediators of plant defensive responses, soil microorganisms play vital roles in plant growth and development^1–4. It is essential to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the soil microbiome in order to effectively utilize microorganisms that have the potential to protect plants or support their growth in even the toughest environments. This investigation will assist us in fully comprehending the complex relationships between microorganisms and plants as well as recognizing key species that can be applied to maximize plant health and production^5–7. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are low molecular weight (300 Da), high vapor pressure, and low boiling temperature compounds. They tend to be lipophilic and are emitted by a wide range of natural and human-made sources, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and various industrial processes⁸. Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) are a type of VOCs produced during the metabolism of microorganisms. These microbes can adjust the balance of their elements in their own tissues in response to the chemical composition of the plant in order to better utilize the available resources and establish a beneficial relationship^9,10. Moreover, several studies have demonstrated that the production of MVOCs inhibits the growth of other organisms, including plant pathogens, competing microorganisms, or those with antagonistic activities^11,12. In addition, they have also been characterized as important plant growth regulators with a positive impact on plant yield and quality¹³. In fruit production, many MVOCs are also known as antimicrobial agents that, which help in pest control and plant immunity enhancement in the production of horticultural products^8,14,15. Additionally, MVOCs may also serve as marker compounds for the selective detection of fungal and bacterial species in the environment. Nonvolatile compounds such as saponins, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and glucosinolates that are produced by microorganisms are also considered as a natural products⁹. There is ongoing research on the use of MVOCs to improve plant health and protect against bacterial and fungal infections. Among the MVOCs that have been investigated for their potential as immune stimulants in plants are salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), benzothiazole phenol, and pyrazine¹⁶. Salicylic acid and jasmonic acid are plant hormones that play important roles in the regulation of plant defense responses, including the activation of genes that produce defense compounds such as phytoalexins. Benzothiazole phenol and pyrazine are MVOCs with antimicrobial activity that can induce plant defense responses. MVOCs are regarded as safe and can be used as substitutes for harmful pesticides, fungicides, and bactericides to enhance plant growth and disease resistance.^8,17,18.

Strawberry is one of the most widely grown and economically important fruit crops in the world, its high nutritional content and potential health benefits are well known. Strawberries are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, and folate, as well as phytochemicals such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, and ellagic acid, which have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects^19,20. Strawberry plants are susceptible to various pathogenic infections caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which can have a significant impact on the quality and quantity of the fruit produced^21,22. Fungal infections such as leaf blight, anthracnose, and gray mold are among the most common diseases that can affect strawberries and impair their growth and yield^23–25. Increasing evidence suggests that MVOCs play a crucial role in the interactions between soil bacteria, and may even have the potential to inhibit soil fungi that cause plant diseases^15,26. There are currently insufficient comprehensive reviews of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by microorganisms that influence the quality of strawberries. Furthermore, there is a need for more research to better understand the role of VOCs in plant-microbe interactions and their potential applications for improving crop production, including the quality of strawberries. This could benefit the strawberry producing industry by providing a new approach to improving the effectiveness of agricultural products and increasing the value of production. This could also lead to the development of novel strategies for controlling plant diseases, promoting plant growth, and enhancing the quality of crops like strawberries. It is also significant to note that using MVOCs as an alternative to synthetic pesticides and fertilizers may offer more sustainable options for agricultural production.

2. Roles of MVOC in horticulture

MVOCs are a group of chemicals produced during fungal and bacterial metabolism that are released into the environment^27,28. A recent study indicated that 400 out of 10,000 bacteria have been identified as having the capacity to produce at least 1,000 MVOCs²⁹. Soil microbes are a rich source of metabolites, including MVOCs, which have been of interest for decades due to their potential to serve as carbon and nutrient sources^30,31. The characteristics of microorganism and their communities determine the production of MVOCs. The communications and interactions of VOCs between plants and microbes within soil ecosystems play a crucial role in shaping soil microbial communities, influencing plant growth and health, and ultimately affecting agricultural productivity³². Notwithstanding the results of current studies, it remains unclear how the composition and diversity of microbial metapopulations affect evaporation and diffusion via gas-water-filled pores in soil and rhizosphere environments³³. Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) and plant roots are capable of traveling long distances within the soil matrix and have the ability to mediate interactions across physically separated metarhizium in the rhizosphere (Figure 1). This improves communication and cooperation among microorganisms inhabiting different microenvironments surrounding plant roots. Despite the diversity of microorganisms in the rhizosphere, only a specific group is capable of producing MVOCs that impact plant growth and disease resistance effectively. Also, in sequential community activation, multiple metapopulations of microorganisms can be activated one after the other, allowing for a stronger initial VOC signal and increasing the diversity of VOCs produced by different microbial communities. Soil properties, such as texture and pH, as well as environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, are factors that determine the mobility, binding, evaporation, and dissolution of MVOCs. The exchange rate and retention properties of VOCs are also important factors that can affect their distribution and concentration in the soil. Understanding these factors is crucial for effectively harnessing the potential benefits of MVOCs for agricultural and environmental applications³⁴. Thus, by considering VOC signaling over broader spatial scales, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions between plants and microorganisms in soil ecosystems (Figure 2). This knowledge can then be used to develop more effective strategies for managing soil health and agricultural productivity, which are important for meeting the growing demand for food in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way. A growing body of evidence supports the finding that MVOCs are ecofriendly and can be exploited as a cost-effective, sustainable strategy for applications in agricultural practise as plant growth enhancers and sources of natural products to improve plant productivity and disease resistance. Moreover, MVOCs are insect repellents by nature and have the potential to decrease crop losses resulting from insect pest^17,35.

Figure 1. Metapopulation networks of microorganisms and plant communication and interactions mediated by microbial volatile organic compounds.

Figure 2. Sources and diversity of MVOCs and Interaction between bacteria fungi protists and plant (Adapted from Peñuelas, Asensio, Tholl, Wenke, Rosenkranz, Piechulla and Schnitzler¹¹⁸.

MVOCs have been found to play a significant role in improving plant growth and stress tolerance in a variety of crops^16,36. It has been shown that root development and nutrient absorption in tomatoes and potatoes are stimulated to promote plant growth directly^37–39. In addition, exposure to certain MVOCs has been shown to increase biomass and yield, and secondary metabolite production under stress conditions^40,41. Other studies have demonstrated that MVOCs can help plants tolerate a variety of stresses, including salt stress or pathogen infections. For instance, dimethyl di-sulfide, S-methyl thioacetate, methyl thiocyanate, undecane, linalool, dimethyl tri-sulfide, terpenes, tridecane, 2,3-butanediol, hydrogen cyanide produced by the rhizosphere microbiome have been shown to induce systemic resistance in plants, making them more resistant to various types of pathogen attacks⁴². This can help reduce the need for synthetic pesticides and fungicides and promote more sustainable agricultural practises. Table 1 illustrates the examples of MVOCs with the ability to promote growth and maintain health benefits for plants. This is attributed in part to the production of enormous quantities of CO₂ by microorganisms that stimulate plant growth^48,49. Furthermore, a single MVOC can serve multiple purposes⁵⁰, such as dimethyl disulfide, which promotes plant growth by increasing the availability of reduced sulfur⁵¹. Overall, research suggests that MVOCs produced by microorganisms can have a significant impact on plant growth and health, resulting in an impact on the overall productivity of crops. By understanding how MVOCs work and how they can be harnessed to promote plant growth and health, researchers may be able to develop new strategies for improving agricultural productivity and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Table 1. Effect of microbial volatile organic compounds on the horticulture produces.

Microbial species	Compound name	Effect to horticulture produces	Reference
Bacillus subtilis (SYST2)	albuterol and 1,3-propanediole	stimulate the growth of tomato plants. by activating the growth hormones ethylene, auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, and gibberellin.	^Citation43
B.amyloliquefaciens (L3)	acetoin and 2,3-butanediol	encourages the growth of shoots, roots, and the fresh weight of watermelon seedlings.	^Citation44
B. mojavensis (I4)	Acetoin	increase plant fresh weight, dry weight, number of lateral roots, shoot length, and chlorophyll content in Arabidopsis thaliana to accelerate the growth of different plants.	^Citation45
Pseudomonas fluorescens (UM270)	Dimethylhexadecylamine, Undecane, Heptadecane, Hexadecane and n‐Hexadecanoic acid	improvement and elevated chlorophyll and iron content.	^Citation46,Citation47
P. rhodesiae	Undecane, Tetradecane, Octadecane, Heptadecane	Plant growth promotion in Vigna radiata	^Citation47
P. putida	Dodecane, Pentadecane, Nonadecane, Heptadecane and n‐Hexadecanoic acid	Plant growth promotion in Vigna radiata	^Citation47

Pest and disease controls

Pests and diseases cause direct yield losses of up to 40% of global agricultural production^52,53. These losses could be at least partially mitigated by MVOCs, which have been shown to enhance the rate and development of tolerance to biotic and abiotic stressors. Additionally, they might alter plant VOCs in a way that improves plant performance². In agriculture, MVOCs showed a great deal of potential to influence plant health and mitigate the financial loss caused by infections and pests. These substances possess antifungal, anti-nematocidal, and plant growth-modulating properties⁵⁴. Davis, Crippen, Hofstetter and Tomberlin⁵⁵ also reported a significant relationship of repellent properties between insects and plants. The suitability of the habitat for an insect may be indicated by in situ microorganisms, whose production of MVOCs can imitate sexual pheromones that influence mating and ovulation. In addition, certain microbes can produce compounds that make plants more resistant to insect herbivores or alter the nutritional content of plants in a way that makes them less suitable as a food source for certain insects. By changing plant traits in these ways, microbes can indirectly impact the behavior and survival of insect pests, potentially reducing their impact on crops, which can positively or negatively influence insects⁵⁶. Plant interactions may also result from this insect response to MVOCs⁵⁵. Moreover, Asari et al.⁵⁷ hypothesized that biological interactions involving VOCs happen more frequently in nature. To investigate this, they studied how MVOCs from various Bacillus strains affected the pathogen control and development of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. They discovered that MVOCs substantially inhibited a variety of plant diseases. Numerous other studies have shown the inhibitory effect of MVOCs on various pathogenic plant pathogens. For example, Chen et al⁵⁸ examined the effectiveness of the VOCs produced by Burkholderia cenocepacia ETR-B22 for eradicating tomato fruit gray mold and its effects on fruit quality. They found that the MVOCs from this microorganism inhibited hyphal cells and prevented the pathogen hyphal development and spore germination of Botrytis cinerea. Additionally, postharvest biofumigation using VOCs significantly decreased disease incidence, disease index, and tomato fruit weight loss considerably. Additionally, Liu et, al.⁵⁹ investigated the VOCs dimethyl disulfide, dimethylthiomethane, propiophenone, and benzothiazole produced by Burkholderia pyrrocinia strain JK-SH007. These compounds were able to control canker diseases caused by the pathogens, including Cytospora chrysosperma, Phomopsis macrospora, and Fusicoccum esculin in Poplar seedling, while the protective enzyme activity and accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total phenol (TP) were enhanced. Additionally, they discovered that as the amount of VOCs (mostly dimethyl disulfide) increased, correspondingly increased the inhibitory effect of VOCs against all three diseases. On the basis of these data, it can be concluded that MVOCs have significant positive impacts on plant growth, metabolism, and health due to their ability to either trigger the activation of plant defenses, prevent the growth and development of plant diseases, or encourage the growth and development of plants, rendering them extremely beneficial to plants and their use in agriculture ¹⁶¹⁸. MVOCs production is influenced by numerous factors, including the growth stage of microbes, the availability of nutrients, temperature, oxygen, pH, and soil moisture^60,61.

3. Sources and diversity of MVOCs

VOCs are a group of largely unexplored secondary metabolites produced by soil and plant-associated microorganisms^62–64. Schenkel et al.,⁶⁵ provided a meta-analysis and comprehensive overview of VOCs derived from soil-borne microbes. The majority of MVOCs have not been characterized in terms of their chemical structure and activity. In addition, there is a lack of understanding of the evolutionary and ecological processes that produce and maintain the vast diversity of MVOCs in soil ecosystems. The physicochemical properties of the soil in that specific environment are the primary determinants of microbial colonization⁶⁶. Texture, carbon content, and microstructure impact the formation of macroaggregates and soil parameters such as porosity air and water content⁶⁷. Based on the air and soil composition, chemical composition of aggregates, and circulation within the pore network, numerous heterogeneous microenvironments for microbial life are produced. In terms of nutrient availability, these characteristics are distinct. Alternately, plants can mediate belowground plant – microbe interactions by emitting volatile organic compounds from their roots⁶¹. Root-derived volatile organic compounds may serve multiple functions, including as carbon sources, defense metabolites, and chemoattractants⁶⁸.

3.1 Bacterial–plant interactions

The presence of a distinctive volatile for each specific plant-soil ecosystem is a result of the interaction between the bacteria and the plant’s metabolism⁶⁹. These volatiles are ideal chemicals for conveying information because they occur in a variety of concentrations in the biosphere and can act over great distances. Some bacteria prefer to inhabit the soil near plant roots, where they feed on the rich nutrient exudates that plant secrete. The collective term for these bacteria is rhizobacteria, and many of them promote growth^70,71. The root environment they colonize is known as the rhizosphere⁷². The emission of dimethyl disulfide had bacteriostatic effects on the plant pathogens Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium vitis⁷³. In contrast, VOCs produced by particular bacteria can also encourage the growth of other bacteria in the rhizosphere. In addition to exerting antagonistic effects against other bacteria, volatile organic compounds can also alter the behavior of other bacteria and modulate their antibiotic resistance. Bacterial volatiles can influence bacterial motility and alter the formation or dispersal of biofilms^50,74.

3.2 Bacteria-fungi interaction

The majority of research on the function of soil microbial volatiles has focused on the suppressive effects of bacterial volatiles on soil eukaryotes that are harmful to agricultural crops, such as plant-pathogenic fungi^75–78. Numerous soil bacteria can produce antifungal or anti-oomycete VOCs and thus contribute to the phenomenon known as soil fungistasis, in which the ability of fungal propagules to grow or germinate is inhibited⁷⁹. According to a recent report, VOCs produced by several Lysobacter strains growing on a protein-rich medium exhibited anti-oomycete activity, whereas these strains produced non-antagonistic VOCs when cultivated on a sugar-rich medium. This suggests that volatile production is highly reliant on growth conditions and nutrient availability⁶³. Benzene emitted by several Streptomyces species has been shown to eliminate the presence of a pathogen while promoting the growth of A. thaliana^80,81. Also, 1,3,5-trichloro-2-methoxy is produced by a wide range of filamentous fungi and is proven to illustrate antifungal activity⁸². Other VOCs produced by Pseudomonas strains have been reported to possess anti-oomycete activities^83,84. A study found that VOCs emitted by pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum stimulated the growth of A. thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum and altered auxin transport and signaling. By influencing the levels of plastidic cytokinin, VOCs emitted by Alternaria alternaria promoted the growth, early flowering, and photosynthesis of A. thaliana, maize, and pepper⁸⁵. Recent research showed that the soil-borne pathogen Rhizoctonia solani produced MVOCs that assisted plant growth, increased their rate of development, and altered their VOC emission, thereby decreasing their insect resistance⁸⁶. In contrast, some VOCs may attract or repel certain types of bacteria based on their behavior, which could be a mechanism for fungi or oomycetes to selectively interact with certain bacterial populations⁸⁷. Particularly interesting are the hydrocarbons produced by plant-pathogenic fungi under microaerophilic conditions, including octane^82,88. These studies suggest that MVOCs produced by plant pathogens may affect the balance between plant growth, development, and defense.

3.3 Protists–bacteria interaction

Protists (Protozoa) are a very diverse and abundant group of soil microorganisms^89,90. Due to their grazing activities, protists play an important role in the soil food web and have a significant impact on carbon allocation and nutrient cycling in the soil- plant interphase⁹¹. Most soil protists are known to be important predators of bacteria, and their selective feeding can shape bacterial communities^92–95. Therefore, protists would greatly benefit from the ability to detect prey at great distances in the porous soil matrix. By comparing various volatile-mediated interactions between phylogenetically distinct soil bacteria and protists with direct trophic interactions, it was demonstrated that specific bacterial volatiles could provide early information about suitable prey. Terpenes could play an important role in VOC-mediated communication between protists and bacteria. Intriguingly, Dictyostelium discoideum⁹⁶, and other soil protists produce volatile terpenes. These terpenes may play a role in defense mechanisms, such as repelling nematode predators. Similarly, it has been demonstrated that soil bacteria can produce volatile compounds that repel protist predators^48,97,98. In addition to bacterivorous protists, frequent soil inhabitants include obligate and facultative mycophagous (fungus-feeding) protists⁹¹. Some specialists can graze directly on the hyphae of filamentous fungi, while others cannot⁹¹. The following figure summarizes the connections between these microbiomes through VOCs and their interactions with plants.

4. MVOCs in strawberry production-a case study

Strawberries are often grown as high-value crops with a relatively high profit margin compared to other crops. This is due to their popularity as well as their delicate nature, which makes them more expensive to produce and transport. Strawberry growers face several challenges as they are susceptible to physical and biochemical damage during harvest and transportation^99,100. They are prone to a range of diseases and pests, including fungal diseases, viruses, and insects. Soil-borne diseases and pests, nutrient deficiencies, and soil compaction can all limit growth and yield; therefore, maintaining healthy soil is essential for successful strawberry production.

4.1 MVOCs as aroma enhancers

Strawberry and other berry fruits are widely grown and prized for their fragrant and nutritional qualities. Because they are vitamin⁻, mineral⁻, and fiber-rich and include other necessary nutrients, they are good for human health. Because fruit aroma is a sign of fruit quality and maturity, people smell fruit before deciding whether to buy it. The combinations of VOCs determine the aroma of strawberries^101,102. As discussed in several field-specific reviews, plant-derived VOCs have garnered considerable interest in terms of their applications and biological functions. Numerous compounds contribute significantly to the scents, flavors, and aromas of foods, industrial materials, and biofuels^103,104. Strawberry has a distinct flavor and aroma that come from a particular ratio of sugars, acids, and VOCs, which varies greatly between cultivars. A total of more than 360 VOCs, including esters, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, terpenes, furanones, and sulfur compounds, have been found in strawberries. Lactones are a class of flavor compounds produced from fatty acids that have been identified from bacterial, plant, and animal sources¹⁰⁵. The synthesis of significant strawberry flavoring chemicals is carried out by the same group of some endophytic bacteria. The endophytic methylobacteria produced 2-hydroxypropanal, which serves as a precursor for the flavoring agents 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-2 H-furanone and 2,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-2 H-furanone. Compared to the previous example, nothing is known about how bacteria affect the flavor and quality of fruit^106,107. The effects of MVOCs produced by the yeast species Hanseniaspora uvarum on the organic ester, content of volatile emissions in strawberries were elaborated¹⁰⁸. After five days of storage at room temperature, a greater increase in some organic esters including methyl acetate, methyl caprylate, and ethyl octanoate, was observed with the strawberries that had been treated with H. uvarum more than strawberry before preservation. These results imply that H. uvarum VOC treatment can improve strawberry flavor by concentrating certain esters during postharvest storage.

4.2 MVOCs as sustainable disease control agents

The firmness, flavor, and taste of strawberries, as well as their color, form, and the presence or absence of flaws, all contribute to their overall quality and quantity. However, its quality can be significantly impacted by pathogen infections both during and after harvest. The market value of fresh strawberries is significantly reduced as a result of this pathogen infection²². It has been estimated that crop losses during postharvest storage can reach 40% of the yield^109–111. The majority of fungal pathogens enter the fruit through postharvest and handling-related wounds. Numerous studies suggest that the ability of microorganisms to produce VOCs with antifungal activity may be an important means for biological control of a wide range of postharvest pathogens^112,113. For example, the VOCs produced from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, and Wickerhamomyces anomalus have been evaluated as biological control agents against B. cinerea, Monilinia fructicola, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus carbonarius, Penicillium digitatum, Cladosporium spp., and Colletotrichum spp., as well as gray mold on fruits, in the prevention of various decomposing fungi and postharvest rotting¹. Qin et al.,¹¹⁴ investigated the effect of H. uvarum MVOCs on strawberry industry losses due to postharvest gray fungus and discovered that H. uvarum might prevent B. cinerea mycelium from spore production and germination. This is the primary source of gray mold in strawberries and can be attributed to the production of VOCs. Additionally, the synthesis of VOCs preserved the appearance, firmness, and total soluble solids of strawberries. Other VOCs produced by yeasts, such as ethyl acetate, were able to completely inhibit B. cinerea growth at a concentration of 8.97 mg/cm³ and prevent gray mold on strawberries at a concentration of 0.718 mg/cm^3,113. Chen et al.,¹¹⁵ also found that the VOCs were able to inhibit the mycelium growth of B. cinerea strongly under in vitro conditions, thereby substantially reducing the severity of the disease and demonstrating the significant potential for using MVOCs in sustainable strawberry production. The antifungal activity of VOCs and their mechanisms of action related to the bioregulation of yeast strains against B. cinerea in vitro and in vivo were evaluated¹¹⁵. They discovered that VOCs produced by Galactomyces candidum JYC1146 may be beneficial in the biological control of pathogens in plants¹¹⁵. Tetrapispora sp. strain 111A-NL1 also produced significant amounts of VOCs that have antifungal effects on strawberry gray mold¹¹⁶. Also, the VOCs produced by Bacillus velezensis CT₃₂ have the ability to suppress Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxysporum, the two pathogens responsible for strawberry vascular wilt¹¹⁷. Therefore, they are known as potent alternative fungicides with low environmental impacts. The various roles of MVOCs in the production of strawberries are described in Figure 3. Endophytic bacteria are commonly found in the tissues of various plant species, and they are capable of surviving within plants without causing any noticeable disease symptoms. These bacteria produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have been shown to enhance the fragrance of strawberries and prevent the development of various stressors such as insects, diseases, molds, and viruses. As a result, these VOCs may help to minimize both biochemical and physical damage to the plants. Collectively, this suggests that bacterial VOCs have potential applications in strawberry cultivation as an effective tool for promoting plant growth and disease control.

Figure 3. Applications of MVOCs during pre- and post-harvest and transportation of strawberries.

5. Conclusions

In conclusion, microorganisms have the potential to produce a diverse range of volatile organic compounds that can establish a beneficial relationship with plants. This review highlights the fundamentals of the volatile organic compounds produced by these microbes and explores their agronomical potential in strawberry production. Microbial volatile organic compounds may significantly impact the flavor and aroma of strawberries by contributing to volatile organic compounds that influence these attributes. In addition to enhancing the aroma of strawberries, microbial volatile organic compounds can also have antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which can protect the plants from pathogens and improve their quality and shelf life. This knowledge contributes to our comprehension and optimization of the application of MVOCs in crop production. MVOCs not only increase yields and reduce losses due to disease and pests, but also improve the overall efficiency and profitability of strawberry production. Understanding the roles of MVOCs in fruit production can help in developing new, eco-friendly strategies for plant protection, and in reducing the use of chemical pesticides and fungicides, ultimately benefiting both growers and consumers.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research work was partially supported by Chiang Mai University.