Mechanism mediating the biosynthesis of the anti-insect volatile (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate in Acacia confusa Merr., an intercropping plant in tea plantations.

ABSTRACT: Intercropping tea plants with Acacia confusa Merr. offers an environmentally sustainable approach to insect population control in tea plantations. However, the primary compounds in A. confusa responsible for this effect and their biosynthetic mechanisms remain undetermined. This study identified (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (Z)-3-hexenol, and 1-hexanol as the major volatiles in A. confusa. Field experiments demonstrated that all three compounds affected the tea leafhopper, a significant pest. (Z)-3-Hexenyl acetate repelled leafhoppers, while the other two compounds attracted them. Leafhopper feeding on tea leaves significantly decreased after fumigation with (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, potentially altering the metabolism of defensive substances in tea leaves. These findings suggest (Z)-3-hexenyl acet

SUBMITTER: Jian G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12330005 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature