Plants release substantial amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere. When attacked by insects, plants alter the VOCs they release in a quantitative and qualitative manner. This provides information to plants that are able to receive and decipher the chemical code. Our recent research showed that secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particles, which are derived from the oxidation of VOCs, can also be detected by plants. Importantly, SOA exposure primes plants to respond vigorously to attack by weevils, which are important pests of seedlings. These primed responses reduce the amount of damage that seedlings receive and enhance their survival. In this project, we will develop this finding into an applied method based on spraying seedlings with a liquid formulation of SOA. The target is a pathway for exploiting plant priming as a mechanism for sustainable forestry and agriculture. This project will test the concept and develop a sustainable strategy for application.

2026

2027