Indian Scientists Find Gateway in Plant Alarm System
Indian researchers have found a new gateway in how plants sense insect attacks. Insect pests cause about 20% of global annual crop losses, and that share may rise as the climate warms. Crop protection still relies heavily on chemical insecticides, so understanding plant defences could lead to crops that protect themselves better.
Context
Context: Plants can detect when insects chew on them and respond with chemical signals, a field that has been studied for decades. Farmers rely on pesticides, which can harm the environment, so better natural defences are a long-term goal.