Michigan State University
The isoprene is not advantageous to our health – but it saves the trees from insect attacks, new study reveals.
For decades, scientists knew that many plants produce a natural chemical compound called isoprenobut its function remained a mystery, recalls a. Until now.
A new one, published in Science Advancesreveals a hormonal response triggered by the isoprene that leads insects to avoid these plants.
Another, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesIt shows that soy produces isoprene when its leaves are damaged.
After 40 years of investigation, these discoveries are revealing – the isoprene comes at a cost to human health, since the isoprene is a hydrocarbon (the second most produced after methane) which It aggravates air pollution, especially in areas where air quality is already bad.
“This is one of the most important questions that result from this investigation,” says researcher Tom Sharkey. “We must add isoprene to agricultural plants so that they are protected against insects and accept their impact on ozone? Or we must modify them genetically To make the most of is the synthesis of isoprene in order to improve the atmosphere? ”
Plants that produce isoprene release more from this compound on hot summer days. Scientists believe this helps stabilize plants and neutralize stress reactions. These plants are also believed to be more resistant to pests.
At the same time, by producing more isoprene, plants sacrifice part of their growthexplain the investigators.
“What motivates me most is to think that we should understand these large -scale phenomena,” says Sharkey. “Isoprene is the largest source of hydrocarbons in the atmosphere. We must understand it.”
