The Jena Experiment provided the ideal conditions for our research," says first author Pamela Medina van Berkum. The biggest challenge in outdoor experiments is measuring the volatile compounds ...

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.

Plants are constantly sending chemical messages into the air and soil around them. These invisible signals can summon pollinators, warn neighbors of herbivores, or repel attackers. But new research ...

Paco Calvo, a researcher at Spain’s University of Murcia, is on a mission. According to New Scientist, he’s attempting to build a solid scientific framework for understanding “plant neurobiology,” ...

Researchers who manipulate lignin, a molecular fiber that allows plants to grow tall and transport water, unexpectedly discovered its synthesis has more far-reaching effects on plant development than ...

Plants release VOCs into the atmosphere when damaged by insects. Intact neighboring plants sense VOCs and activate pre-emptive defense responses against the insects. Figure 2: Ca2+ signals in ...

Diverse plant communities emit more complex chemical signals The researchers found that the more diverse the plant community, the more complex the chemical signals. High species diversity leads to the ...