Oviposition-induced plant volatiles prime defences against impending herbivores in neighbouring non-damaged plants

Abstract Plants exploit environmental cues about the risks of encountering insect herbivores, often sensitising defensive responses. While herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) are reported to enhance plant defences against incoming herbivores, responses to oviposition-induced plant volatiles (O...

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Main Authors: Pius Otto, Gerlens Célestin, Alan Kergunteuil, Muriel Valantin-Morison, Foteini G. Pashalidou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02371-7
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author Pius Otto
Gerlens Célestin
Alan Kergunteuil
Muriel Valantin-Morison
Foteini G. Pashalidou
author_facet Pius Otto
Gerlens Célestin
Alan Kergunteuil
Muriel Valantin-Morison
Foteini G. Pashalidou
author_sort Pius Otto
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Plants exploit environmental cues about the risks of encountering insect herbivores, often sensitising defensive responses. While herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) are reported to enhance plant defences against incoming herbivores, responses to oviposition-induced plant volatiles (OIPVs) are massively under-explored. We studied whether OIPV emissions from Brassica napus enhance defences in non-damaged neighbouring B. napus when subsequently infested with Pieris brassicae larvae. We collected and analysed the emission rates of plant volatile organic compounds under different treatments and measured P. brassicae larvae biomass as a proxy for defence. We show that oviposition triggers the release of specific volatiles, i.e. α-pinene, dimethyl-trisulfide, and limonene, potentially serving as herbivore early warning cues for neighbouring non-damaged plants. Initially, after three days of herbivory, OIPV-receivers emitted lower levels of volatiles compared to control receivers; however, following seven days of herbivory, both control and OIPV-receivers emitted similar amounts of volatiles. We suggest a potential trade-off between direct and indirect defences, with sensitised plants investing metabolic resources initially towards direct and later enhancing indirect defences. We show that OIPVs mediate plant-plant communication, a natural potential for Brassicaceae crop protection.
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spelling doaj-art-d26ab1a0048c4d788ce47a6470e7f3f02025-08-20T03:45:51ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-02371-7Oviposition-induced plant volatiles prime defences against impending herbivores in neighbouring non-damaged plantsPius Otto0Gerlens Célestin1Alan Kergunteuil2Muriel Valantin-Morison3Foteini G. Pashalidou4UMR Agronomie, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-SaclayUMR Agronomie, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-SaclayINRAE, LAE, Université de LorraineUMR Agronomie, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-SaclayUMR Agronomie, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-SaclayAbstract Plants exploit environmental cues about the risks of encountering insect herbivores, often sensitising defensive responses. While herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) are reported to enhance plant defences against incoming herbivores, responses to oviposition-induced plant volatiles (OIPVs) are massively under-explored. We studied whether OIPV emissions from Brassica napus enhance defences in non-damaged neighbouring B. napus when subsequently infested with Pieris brassicae larvae. We collected and analysed the emission rates of plant volatile organic compounds under different treatments and measured P. brassicae larvae biomass as a proxy for defence. We show that oviposition triggers the release of specific volatiles, i.e. α-pinene, dimethyl-trisulfide, and limonene, potentially serving as herbivore early warning cues for neighbouring non-damaged plants. Initially, after three days of herbivory, OIPV-receivers emitted lower levels of volatiles compared to control receivers; however, following seven days of herbivory, both control and OIPV-receivers emitted similar amounts of volatiles. We suggest a potential trade-off between direct and indirect defences, with sensitised plants investing metabolic resources initially towards direct and later enhancing indirect defences. We show that OIPVs mediate plant-plant communication, a natural potential for Brassicaceae crop protection.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02371-7Pieris brassicaeOvipositionOviposition-induced plant volatilesRapeseedPrimingPlant-plant communication
spellingShingle Pius Otto
Gerlens Célestin
Alan Kergunteuil
Muriel Valantin-Morison
Foteini G. Pashalidou
Oviposition-induced plant volatiles prime defences against impending herbivores in neighbouring non-damaged plants
Scientific Reports
Pieris brassicae
Oviposition
Oviposition-induced plant volatiles
Rapeseed
Priming
Plant-plant communication
title Oviposition-induced plant volatiles prime defences against impending herbivores in neighbouring non-damaged plants
title_full Oviposition-induced plant volatiles prime defences against impending herbivores in neighbouring non-damaged plants
title_fullStr Oviposition-induced plant volatiles prime defences against impending herbivores in neighbouring non-damaged plants
title_full_unstemmed Oviposition-induced plant volatiles prime defences against impending herbivores in neighbouring non-damaged plants
title_short Oviposition-induced plant volatiles prime defences against impending herbivores in neighbouring non-damaged plants
title_sort oviposition induced plant volatiles prime defences against impending herbivores in neighbouring non damaged plants
topic Pieris brassicae
Oviposition
Oviposition-induced plant volatiles
Rapeseed
Priming
Plant-plant communication
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02371-7
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AT alankergunteuil ovipositioninducedplantvolatilesprimedefencesagainstimpendingherbivoresinneighbouringnondamagedplants
AT murielvalantinmorison ovipositioninducedplantvolatilesprimedefencesagainstimpendingherbivoresinneighbouringnondamagedplants
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