Secondary compounds in the plants

The substances that are necessary for the plant metabolism are called as primary compounds. The secondary compounds produced by the plants are helpful for it to drive the pollinating agents towards it. The infectious diseases can be prevented and the parasites can be killed with the secondary compounds. The parasitic fungal strains can be protected from affecting the Pea plant that produces the chemical compound known as Pisatin. There are certain fungal strains of Fusarium, which can destroy the Pisatin chemical and infect the Pea plants.

Certain plants like chrysanthemums are known to produce an insecticide known as pyrethrum. This chemical is found to be commercially available to the gardeners. The plants as an act of defense produce certain chemicals called as anti-nutrients. These chemical compounds are known to stop the enzymatic action in the digestive system of the insects. There are several chemicals released by the plant when it is at defense and few of such chemicals include phenol, nicotine, caffeine, tannin and morphine. The secondary compounds produced by the plants that are useful for the human beings are salicylic acid, caffeine, pesticides, chicle, etc.