Induced defence in plants : Interactions with other organisms

Plants are attacked by various organisms such as insects and microbes. If unchecked, plants can suffer major losses due to predation. However, the struggle for survival has enabled the plant to develop complex response systems that provide a line of defence. These defensive responses in the form of volatile chemicals are induced by the feeding of insects and are be triggered by larval-oral secretions. These chemicals attract the pest's natural enemies by providing important host location cues to them. This recently discovered phenomenon is gaining importance in tri-trophic relations.