Researchers make unexpected discovery after research into ‘vaccinated’ crops: ‘Critical for the transition’

A group of international biologists have analyzed a method to phase out toxic pesticides in favor of an unconventional but sustainable way to create resilient crops.

The team’s review, published in Frontiers in science and divided by Phys.orgidentified a phenomenon called induced resistance, which targets plants’ immune systems and strengthens innate defense mechanisms to protect against insect pests and microbial pathogens.

“Although induced resistance has been studied for decades, its exploitation in crop protection has only recently gained momentum,” said Brigitte Mauch-Mani, professor at the University of Neuchâtel and lead author of the paper. Phys.org.

“We advocate a holistic approach to crop protection, which combines multiple strategies to deliver tailor-made solutions. Induced resistance is at the heart of such an integrated approach.”

The researchers identified a type of induced resistance known as defense priming, which functions similarly to a vaccination. The plant shows an enhanced response to attack after previous exposure, and the immunological stress memory can be long-lasting and even transgenerational.

This behavior is more versatile than the tactics currently used by the agricultural industry, such as pesticides and breeding for resistance genes. The former can keep plants one step ahead of pest evolution while providing broader protection against various predators and harmful microbes.

However, plants can use too many resources to defend themselves against a specific threat, leaving them vulnerable to other forms of stress or compromising their growth potential. Therefore, induced resistance is best used in combination with complementary strategies, as this alone is not sufficient for complete immunity, the report said.

Nevertheless, the benefits of this process are multifaceted, reducing its need pesticides that can be the risk of stillbirth and others health complications while potentially improving health benefits and crop nutrition.

Other alternative measures pesticides, herbicides and fungicides include use goats to graze on invasive weeds that infiltrate farmland and a robot that uses radiation to kill mold and mildew. The Environmental Protection Agency also said it would expedite its review spray drift of pesticides to protect farmers, consumers and wildlife.

The scientists will need more research and more government support to implement induced resistance on a commercial scale, but they believe they can use this to “reduce pesticides to an absolute minimum… (and) also secure much longer-lasting crop protection .”

“We are convinced that fundamental research into induced resistance will be crucial for the transition to a truly sustainable food supply,” says Mauch-Mani. said.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives And shaping our futureand don’t miss it this nice list of simple ways to help yourself and help the planet at the same time.