Oleoresin defenses in conifers: chemical diversity, terpene synthases and limitations of oleoresin defense under climate change

What is it about?

Conifers are some of the longest living plants on earth. To cope with pests and pathogens, such as bark beetles, conifers produce a toxic oleoresin secretion. We review the genomic and biochemical knowledge of the conifer oleoresin defense system. The effectiveness of this natural defenses system may become compromised under conditions of climate change, which favors range and host expansion of forest pests and disease.

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