The scientists sprayed some tomato plants with methyl jasmonate and left others untreated. Induced ResistanceĪ team of scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have investigated this phenomenon and what it means for those hungry caterpillars. When a plant detects a chemical called methyl jasmonate, which is released from a damaged plant, the receptor plant will often change its own chemistry so that it's less tasty. This is a strategy called induced resistance. Yes, it's true that tomato plants don't have brains or can decide these things, but they do respond to chemicals in their environment that are produced when other plants are wounded. What tomato plants can do is push those caterpillars toward cannibalism more quickly. Caterpillars may turn on each other if food supply is short or bad quality. It's not unusual for caterpillars or other insects to feast on one another.
As a tomato plant, you have an extraordinary skill: you can turn the caterpillars on one another. What can you do to save yourself?ĭon't say nothing just because you're a stationary plant in this situation. It sounds peaceful until a barrage of hungry caterpillars come. Sunlight, earthworm casings to eat, rain to drink. Imagine that you're a beautiful tomato plant growing in a garden.
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