Root and shoot glucosinolate allocation patterns follow optimal defence allocation theory

1. Optimal defence allocation theory (ODT) is one of the most prominent theoretical frameworks to explain the allocation of defence compounds within plants. It predicts that the most valuable and vulnerable plant organs have the highest levels of chemical defence. The ODT has been well worked out and experimentally tested for shoot defences, but not for root defences. To assess if ODT principles apply similarly to roots and shoots, we examined glucosinolates in aboveground and belowground organs of nine plant species belonging to two families. 2. In order to evaluate whether ODT equally applies to shoot and root organs, we designed a conceptual model in which aboveground and belowground organs were assigned to orders of importance to plant performance. We hypothesized that organs constituting the plant’s core structure are better protected than more distal organs. 3. The nine plant species were cultivated, and their roots and shoots were harvested and divided in three orders for glucosi...