An Overview
The natural ability of plants to fight off pests is far
more complex than most people would think. Plants
can generate a wide array of hormones and antimi-
crobial enzymes, chemicals, and proteins in response
to the unwanted presence of various pathogens.
For example, some plants have shown the ability to
manufacture chemicals that either inhibit insects from
feeding or at least slow down their appetite. Some
plants may also close their stomata to prevent the
additional entrance of unwanted pests or diseases.
In other instances, some plants can also send nutrients
to where they are under stress from insect or disease
attack and simply outgrow the nemesis. Some can even
kill off and drop the part of their anatomy under attack,
kind of like how certain lizards can shed their tails.
Another tool in the plant defense arsenal is the ability
to communicate with beneficial insects and even other
plants when they sense they are about to be attacked or
succumb to a wide range of stressors. To do this, plants
emit volatile, organic chemicals to beckon specific bene-
ficial insects based on which pests are attacking. This
signaling power is not limited to the leaves or shoots
either. Studies by the US Department of Agriculture
show the roots can also emit signals to summon benefi-
cial nematodes and bacteria to attack the pest.
Pleading for help is not the sole use of this
communication. The hormones and chemicals released
by distressed plants also act as a warning to other
plants of what is happening to it. Studies confirm
neighboring plants pick up these signals and, in turn,
start to ramp up their own defenses in anticipation of
the oncoming onslaught.
Responses triggered by the appearance of a pest,
pathogen, or other agent are known as induced
resistances. There are two types of induced resistance in
plants: systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and induced
systemic resistance. When a plant is expressing SAR, it
will manufacture and produce a hormonal response and
generate defensive proteins to protect itself as soon as it
is exposed to any pathogen or pest. Much like the human
body will release antibodies when it detects an invader,
“Responses triggered by the appearance of a
pest, pathogen, or other agent are known as
induced resistances.”
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Audible & Visual Warnings
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