Pollution Helps Trees Fight Infection
Monday, July 6, 2015 - 09:10
in Biology & Nature
Trees that can tolerate soil pollution are also better at defending themselves against pests and pathogens. While studying the presence of genetic information (RNA) from fungi and bacteria in the trees, the researchers found evidence of a very large amount of RNA from a very common plant pest called the two-spotted spidermite. 99% of spidermite RNA was in higher abundance in trees without contamination, suggesting that the polluted plant's defense mechanisms, used to protect itself against chemical contamination, improves its resistance to a biological invader. read more