After signaling increased, the team found the plant increased the production of certain gene expressions for protection. For example, Toyota said the plant may start producing certain proteins to inhibit insects from munching on them, giving the insects diarrhea.

“If the plant has lots of these genes, they are now very strong against the insect herbivory,” [researcher Masatsugu] Toyota said.

With this new understanding, researchers say plants could be immunized against threats and stressors before they even happen — the equivalent of giving a plant a vaccine. For instance, exposing healthy plants to insect-ridden plants or the associated green leafy volatiles could boost their genetic defenses, so farmers use less pesticides, [plant ecologist André] Kessler said. The revelation could also help make plants more resilient during a drought, signaling the plants to retain more water.

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