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 ...

A quiet grassland can feel still, but it is never silent. Every leaf, flower, and root releases tiny scent molecules that drift through the air. Those odors help plants deal with threats, recruit ...

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 ...

Machine generated contents note: 1. Communication and the evolution of plant-animal interactions -- 1.1. Communication -- 1.2. Signals vs. cues -- Box 1.1 Deceptive communication -- 1.3. Plant-animal ...

A photo of a cyst nematode's head viewed through a high-power microscope shows its esophageal glands, which produce effectors it uses to infect host plants. The image was digitally edited to highlight ...

Why it matters: Since the 1980s, it's been known that plants possess defense mechanisms that operate through the air. Recently, a team of Japanese researchers has not only demonstrated but also ...

What is chemical communication in plants? Plants rely on chemical signals to communicate with each other and themselves. Some of these chemicals are volatile (known as volatile organic compounds--VOCs ...