We plan to conduct an experiment to evaluate whether the chemotypes (volatile chemical "languages") that a plant has been exposed to as it develops affect its ability to respond to damage cues. In past experiments we have found that damaged plants emit volatile chemicals that neighboring plants perceive and become better defended as a result. This communication is more effective if the sender and receiver of these cues share the same chemotype. We will test the hypothesis that individuals that are exposed to particular chemotypes as they develop will be more sensitive to those chemotypes compared to naive plants that have no experience with that particular chemotype.

Approved