Plants have a variety of defense mechanisms to protect themselves against pathogens. One common defense mechanism is the production of antimicrobial compounds such as phytoalexins, which help to inhibit the growth of pathogens. Plants also have physical barriers like tough cell walls and waxy cuticles that can prevent pathogens from entering their tissues. Furthermore, plants can activate their immune system in response to pathogen attack, triggering a series of defense responses such as the production of pathogenesis-related proteins and the formation of structural barriers like lignin. Additionally, some plants have symbiotic relationships with beneficial microbes that can outcompete or inhibit the growth of pathogenic organisms.
