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Plants have all sorts of defense mechanisms, toxins etc, that they've evolved (since they're sitting ducks). Its a reasonable hypothesis that some energetically
by vikramkr 5y ago
Plants have all sorts of defense mechanisms, toxins etc, that they've evolved (since they're sitting ducks). Its a reasonable hypothesis that some energetically intensive to produce toxin could have its production induced, for example (the plant wouldn't want to waste energy on producing the toxins when not needed). I believe there are also plants that have been shown to release compounds that attract parasitic wasps to kill the pest. That could also be triggered here, another reasonable hypothesis.
- sundvor 5y agoI wanted to share the Hidden life Of Trees book, for anyone finding the above fascinating. The author explores the idea that trees use fungal networks to communicate, which is further to what we see about the plants here. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-whispering-trees-180968084/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-whispering... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28256439-the-hidden-life-of-trees https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28256439-the-hidden-life... (I can recommend the Audible version.)
- anon_cow1111 5y agoI'll hijack you to drop the radiolab episode on this while I'm here, I remember it being fairly interesting. https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/from-tree-to-shining-tree https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/from-...
- sundvor 5y agoOh, thanks! Appreciated.
- TedDoesntTalk 5y agoGreat book
- kristopolous 5y agoSorry for my stupidity but isn't a tomato plant planning on being eaten? I honestly have no idea and I'd love to know more
- aendruk 5y agoNot by caterpillars, but by something larger that would distribute the seeds.
- PostThisTooFast 5y agoLike a civet.