Systemic application of L-phenylalanine increases plant resistance to vertebrate herbivory

• Published in: Journal of chemical ecology Vol. 23; no. 5; pp. 1463 - 1470
• Main Authors: Grey, C.B, Cowan, D.P, Langton, S.D, Watkins, R.W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 01.05.1997; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; BRASSICA NAPUS; Columba livia; COMPOSE PHENOLIQUE; COMPUESTOS FENOLICOS; Crop science; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; HERBIVORE; HERBIVORES; HERBIVOROS; Herbivory; Pest animals; PEST RESISTANCE; PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS; Phenols; Plant resistance; RESISTANCE AUX ORGANISMES NUISIBLES; RESISTENCIA A LAS PLAGAS; Varietal selection. Specialized plant breeding, plant breeding aims; Vertebrates; Herbivorous; Phenylalanine; Columba livia; Increase; Oil plant(vegetal); Vertebrata; Cruciferae; Animal plant relation; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Brassica napus; Pest resistance; Spermatophyta; Aves
• ISSN: 0098-0331; 1573-1561
• DOI: 10.1023/B:JOEC.0000006476.51106.44

The systemic application of L-phenylalanine (PHE), a phenolic precursor, significantly increases the phenolic pool of oilseed rape (Brassica napus var. Bristol). In a two-choice test with captive feral pigeons (Columba livia), PHE-treated plants sustained significantly less damage than control plants. This was supported by the results of behavioral studies, where video analyses showed that the PHE-treated plants received significantly fewer pecks than the controls. This is the first report of increased resistance to damage by a vertebrate pest following the systemic application of precursors for plant defense compounds