A bit touchy: Plants' insect defenses activated by touch
Monday, April 9, 2012 - 14:40
in Biology & Nature
Plants can use the sense of touch to fight off fungal infections and insects, new research shows. The study finds the first evidence that plant resistance -- activated by the plant hormone jasmonate -- is triggered by touch. In a study of Arabidopsis thaliana, biochemists found that touched plants had increased levels of jasmonate and increased resistance to insects and fungal disease.