Volatile organic compounds in Solanum lycopersicum leaves and their roles in plant protection

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a species of high economic value, an essential food source, and a model organism for both applied and basic research in crop science. Tomato plants also produce and emit a wide variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are thought to play a prominent role in multitrophic interactions. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the extensive literature about tomato VOCs emitted by leaves. We explored the role of VOCs in the interactions of tomato plants with the environment, focusing on VOCs that provide plant protection against herbivores, pathogen vectors, pathogens, and abiotic stresses. VOC functions in plant–plant communication and defence are less known, but new evidence is now being collected showing that VOCs sent by plants can inform neighbour plants about impending stresses. Overall, improved knowledge on VOC biochemistry and functions may soon allow their use for sustainable protection practices of tomato crops. Remaining gaps and promising areas for future research are also examined.