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Gene expression in response to signaling molecules has been well studied in the leaves of the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana. However, knowledge of gene expression and metabolic regulation at the root level is limited.

Here, the signaling compounds salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and nitric oxide (NO) were applied exogenously to induce various defense responses in roots, and their effect was studied using a combination of genomic, molecular and biochemical approaches. Genes involved in defense signaling/activation, cellular redox state, metabolism, transcription factors and membrane transport were altered in expression following treatment with SA, MeJA and NO.

In addition, it was found that SA‐, MeJA‐ and NO‐elicited roots increased the root exudation of phytochemicals compared with the roots of nontreated control plants. Transport systems likely to be involved in the …