Cover crop selection alters plant chemical defenses and predator behavior
Penn State researchers studied how different cover crops affect plant defenses against pests. They found that pea cover crops increased indole emissions and made caterpillars more attractive to predatory insects, but reduced levels of the natural toxin benzoxazinoid. This trade-off suggests growers can choose cover crops to influence pest resistance.
This summary is AI-generated and original to Mobble; the linked article is the authoritative source.
Original headline: “Specific cover crops may help attract insects that target harmful pests.” Browse more stories.