Induced indirect defense of plants against herbivores and its application in pest control

Junji Takabayashi (Kyoto University, Center for Ecological Research, Professor) 【Outline of survey】 Plants are known to defend themselves against herbivores and pathogen directly by producing toxins, digestability reducers, repellents etc. Further, plants defend themselves against herbivores indirectly by producing so-called “herbivore-induced volatiles” that attract carnivorous natural enemies of the herbivores. This defense is called induced indirect defense against herbivores. Here, we focused on the molecular mechanisms involved in this defense. We also focused on its application in peat control. The following two projects are planed. (1) Role of plant oxilipin pathways in induced indirect defense against herbivores. (2) Effects of herbivore-induced plant volatiles on the interaction networks in ecosystems.