Benzoxazinoids - protective secondary metabolites in cereals: The role and application

Benzoxazinoids (BXs) are secondary plant metabolites that provide innate defence against a plethora of pests and pathogens. They are identified both in monocots, namely grasses, and in several families of dicots. Among crops, BXs are best characterised in wheat, maize, and rye. These natural pesticides have inhibitory effects on weeds, insects, plant pathogenic fungi, bacteria, and nematodes. Besides, BXs demonstrated the ability to suppress production of mycotoxins, mitigate negative effects of microelement deficiency and toxicity and attract plant beneficial bacteria in the rhizosphere. Here, we summarise benefits and possible applications of these allelochemicals in pest control, which may be of special interest for production systems based on reduction or elimination of pesticides, such as integrated pest management or organic farming. In the light of it, we discuss possible limitations and risks of BX application that are worth considering. Finally, we refer to available germplasm with high BX level that can be exploited as a source of resistance in cereal breeding programmes.