Plant secondary metabolites involved in the stress tolerance of long-lived trees.

This article focuses on the role of specialized plant metabolites (SPMs) in the resistance and longevity of long-lived trees, which are individual trees living over 100 years and often facing diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. It reviews major ancient tree species, such as bristlecone pine, Ginkgo biloba, olive, and oak, highlighting their unique SPMs—such as terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds—that contribute to defense against pests, pathogens, and environmental challenges. The synthesis and accumulation of these metabolites are influenced by environmental factors and endophytes, and a comparative genomic analysis of 17 long-lived tree species reveals significant expansions in gene families related to SPM biosynthesis, particularly in terpene and phenylpropanoid pathways. The study underscores the importance of SPMs in enhancing tree survival and suggests their potential applications in plant defense, crop improvement, and pharmaceuticals.