Induzierte resistenz in der phytomedizin, konsequenzen fur die nahrungsqualitat?

The induction of resistance mechanisms for plant protection against pathogens is going to be a method which allows to bypass the application of synthetic fungizids and to avoid residues of pesticides. The aim of this method is to change the metabolism of the plant in a way that the production of defensive compounds is enforced. This is done by the application of so-called elicitors which mimic the infection by a pathogen leading to a defensive response very often coinciding with the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites known as 'bioactive compounds'. They are mostly regarded to be beneficial for human health. However, it cannot in general be concluded that each application of resistance inducing methods will necessarily increase the quality of foodstuffs with regard to their chemical composition. In each individual case of induced resistance it has thoroughly to be studied which kind and which quantity of secondary metabolites are involved in the defence reaction.