Posted on 03/06/2006 12:27:28 PM PST by mlc9852
When sagebrush is damaged by insects, it broadcasts the predator's presence by releasing odors into the air. Other sagebrush pick up on the smells from their wounded brethren and get their defenses going.
Turns out wild tobacco plants eavesdrop on these signals.
The tobacco uses the knowledge to fortify its own defenses. Then it waits to deploy the arsenal if and only if the insect attacks. By holding off on deployment, the tobacco retains vital energy for other important tasks.
The proteins and chemicals used for defense contain nitrogen and carbon, which also are needed to produce seeds. It's a classic guns vs. butter tradeoff.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
"Intelligence in plants and vegetables is an old story, Mr. Scott. Older even than the animal arrogance that has overlooked it." (Source: The Thing from Another World [1951])
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