noun
- A compound produced by a plant in response to infection or injury that acts as a natural defense against pathogens and pests.
Usage: technical; biology; plant science
Examples
- When the plant was infected with fungus, it produced phytoalexins to protect itself.
- Phytoalexins are antimicrobial substances that help plants resist disease.
- The soybean plant releases phytoalexins when attacked by pathogens.
- Researchers study phytoalexins to understand how plants defend themselves naturally.
- Different plant species produce different types of phytoalexins as part of their immune response.