Exploring how volatile organic compounds (VOCs) enhance plant defense and offer sustainable pest control solutions.
Exploring how volatile organic compounds (VOCs) enhance plant defense and offer sustainable pest control solutions.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are essential airborne signals or odors that enable plants to communicate with other organisms and plants across short and long distances. A key aspect of this communication occurs when a plant is damaged by herbivorous pests, triggering the release of VOCs. These compounds can be detected by neighboring plants, prompting them to enhance their defenses against potential threats. This complex biochemical strategy enables plants to protect themselves effectively from various stresses.
This field of study has recently garnered significant interest due to its promising applications in agriculture. In this vein, Professor Gen-ichiro Arimura and his colleague Mr. Takuya Uemura from Tokyo University of Science, Japan, set out to explore the molecular pathways behind this communication and its potential applications in sustainable agriculture.
Their review, published online on October 11, 2024 in Trends in Plant Science, shed light on these intricate processes and their implications for agricultural advancement. The study explored how understanding plant-to-plant communication could lead to innovative strategies for crop protection and yield improvement, potentially revolutionizing sustainable agriculture.
Read more at Tokyo University of Science
Image: Researchers investigated the molecular basis of plant-plant interactions mediated by VOCs, aiming to develop alternatives to chemical pest control for agricultural and horticultural applications. (Credit: Gen-ichiro Arimura from TUS, Japan)
