Herbivore feeding preference corroborates optimal defense theory for specialized metabolites within plants.

ABSTRACT: Numerous plants protect themselves from attackers by using specialized metabolites. The biosynthesis of these deterrent, often toxic metabolites is costly, as their synthesis diverts energy and resources on account of growth and development. How plants diversify investments into growth and defense is explained by the optimal defense theory. The central prediction of the optimal defense theory is that plants maximize growth and defense by concentrating specialized metabolites in tissues that are decisive for fitness. To date, supporting physiological evidence relies on the correlation between plant metabolite presence and animal feeding preference. Here, we use glucosinolates as a model to examine the effect of changes in chemical defense distribution on feeding preference. Taking advantage

SUBMITTER: Hunziker P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8617496 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature