Biology subjects

Erb, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Erb, M..

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Rapid green leaf volatile sensing allows intact plants to release induced volatiles earlier than wounded emitters

Organisms in the vicinity of attacked neighbors can respond to danger cues by activating their own defenses. However, the temporal dynamics of these interactions remain poorly resolved, despite their importance for the ensuing effects. Here, we investigated defense responses of maize plants that are exposed to induced volatiles from herbivory-induced neighbors in real time. These experiments revealed a surprising temporal paradox: Intact neighbors start emitting most induced volatiles 15-80 min earlier than the attacked plants themselves. This earlier responsiveness was not associated with earlier induction of defense hormones, volatile biosynthesis genes or within-leaf volatile accumulation. Instead, receiver plants kept their stomata open, while attacked sender plants rapidly closed them to combat water loss. Using different volatile deficient mutants, we demonstrate that the rapid responses in receivers are triggered by green leaf volatiles, which are released from the wound sites of sender plants within minutes independently of stomatal aperture. Thus, non-attacked neighbors can act as "unhindered observers" that activate some defenses more quickly than attacked organisms themselves, as they do not have to deal with wound trauma. The resulting plant volatile concatenation patterns expand our understanding of volatile signaling and have the potential to shape population-level multitrophic interactions.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Quantitative modelling of biological response dynamics reveals novel patterns in plant volatile signalling

Biological responses to environmental stimuli are inherently dynamic. Recent technological advances enable detailed time-resolved measurements of such responses. However, a standard for quantitative characterisation of dynamics is lacking, thus limiting biological insights and comparisons. We developed an unbiased mathematical model structure that allows for the quantification of biological response curve dynamics without a priori knowledge of underlying biochemical mechanisms. Using the model to quantify the dynamics of stress-induced plant volatiles, we uncover a range of novel patterns in volatile signalling, including i) a strong light-independent impact of the time of day of wounding on the onset, duration and shape of the volatile induction responses, ii) an accentuation of volatile-specific induction curve shapes by herbivory-associated molecular patterns (HAMPs) and iii) independent regulation of the strength and duration of volatile induction across genotypes. The model performs well across biochemically diverse responses, suggesting broad applicability to inducible responses. The model is also robust to partial response curves, low resolution data and complex multi-modal responses arising from overlapping stimuli, enabling identification of priming events from otherwise convoluted curves. As all responses measured conform to a common model structure, yet parameter values diverge markedly, we conclude that biologically meaningful information is ignored when dynamics are not quantified. The presented approach will pave the way to identifying new biological response patterns, and their function, across the tree of life.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Direct encoding of new visual concepts in early visual cortex

Neocortical memories are assumed to rely on slow systems consolidation through hippocampal offline reactivation. However, recent studies show rapid neocortical integration of new memories for information associated with prior knowledge. Testing the limits of rapid neocortical learning, we tracked memory formation across 24h with functional and diffusion-weighted MRI in subjects acquiring either conceptual or detailed knowledge of novel objects from identical visual stimulation. Concept learning-induced rapid, 24h-stable changes in strength and pattern of functional early visual cortex responses. These were co-localized with microstructural changes, correlated positively with categorization performance and negatively with context recognition. Detailed item-context learning elicited analogous changes in posterior parietal areas. Results show that the neocortex can rapidly learn without prior knowledge and that concept learning can occur in early sensory regions that process corresponding visual features. Thus, we substantiate the possibility of direct or parallel neocortical encoding without offline abstraction from individual episodes.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Synthetic communities of maize root bacteria interact and redirect benzoxazinoid metabolization

Plant roots are colonised by diverse microbial communities. These communities are shaped by root exudates including plant specialized metabolites. Benzoxazinoids are such secreted compounds of maize. Individual microbes differ in their ability to tolerate and metabolize antimicrobial benzoxazinoids. To investigate how these traits combine in a community, we designed two synthetic communities of maize root bacteria that share six common strains and differ in their ability to metabolize benzoxazinoids based on the seventh strain. We exposed both communities to the benzoxazinoid MBOA (6-methoxybenzoxazolin-2(3H)-one) and found that the metabolizing community did not degrade MBOA to its aminophenoxazinone, as observed for individual strains, but as a community they formed the corresponding acetamide. MBOA shaped differential compositions of both communities and increased the fraction of MBOA-tolerant strains. The benzoxazinoid metabolizing community showed a higher tolerance to MBOA and was able to utilize MBOA as their sole carbon source for growth. Hence, bacterial interaction results in alternative benzoxazinoid metabolization and increases community performance in presence of these antimicrobial compounds. Future work is needed to uncover the genetics of this metabolic interaction and ecological consequences for the bacterial community and the host plant. ImportanceWe investigated how maize root bacteria - alone or in community - tolerate and metabolize antimicrobial compounds of their host plant. We found the capacity to metabolize such a compound to impact bacterial community size and structure and most importantly, to beneeit community eitness. We also found that interacting bacteria redirected the metabolisation of the antimicrobial compound to an alternative degradation product. Our work highlights the need to study the team work of microbes to uncover their community traits to ultimately understand the ecological consequences for the bacterial community and eventually the host plant.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Functional connectivity of thalamic nuclei during sensorimotor task-based fMRI at 9.4 Tesla

The thalamus is the brains central communication hub, playing a key role in processing and relaying sensorimotor and cognitive information between the cerebral cortex and other brain regions. It consists of specific and non-specific nuclei, each with a different role. Specific thalamic nuclei relay sensory and motor information to specific cortical and subcortical regions to ensure precise communication. In contrast, non-specific thalamic nuclei are involved in general functions such as attention or consciousness through broader and less targeted connections. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the functional connectivity patterns of the thalamic nuclei identified in our previous study as being involved in motor (finger-tapping) and sensory (finger-touch) tasks. The results of this study show that thalamic nuclei are not static hubs with a predefined role in neural signal processing, as they show different task-specific functional connectivity patterns in the anterior, middle, lateral, and posterior thalamic nuclei. Instead, they are all functional hubs that can flexibly change their connections to other brain regions in response to task demands. This work has important implications for understanding task-dependent functional connectivity between thalamic nuclei and different brain regions using task-based fMRI at 9.4 Tesla.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Volatile-suppressed peptide signaling enhances volatile responses in plant-plant interactions

Plant volatiles shape plant-plant interactions by acting as defense regulators and response factors. While plant volatile biosynthesis is well understood, how their emission is regulated remains largely elusive. Here, we show that small peptide signaling regulates induced volatile release in maize. Following herbivore attack, green leaf volatiles such as (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate (HAC) are released and induce terpene and indole emissions from neighboring plants. This process is accompanied by reduced expression of the ZmCLE1E9 gene and the ZmBAM1A, ZmBAM1B and ZmBAM3C receptor genes in HAC-exposed plants. Exogenous ZmCLE1E9 peptide inhibits HAC-triggered volatile release by limiting stomatal aperture. This inhibition disappears in the Zmbam1a/Zmbam1b/Zmbam3c triple mutant. Molecular docking supports ZmCLE1E9 and ZmBAMs as ligand-receptor pairs. Furthermore, Zmcle1e9 and Zmbams triple mutants show increased volatile emissions upon HAC exposure. In summary, we show that upon HAC perception, maize plants enhance their capacity to release terpenes and indole via the suppression of CLE1E9 signaling. This behavior allows maize plants to rapidly deploy volatile cues in response to stress volatiles and thus shape the infochemical dynamics of multitrophic environments.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Pathological α-synuclein elicits granulovacuolar degeneration independent of tau

BackgroundPathologic heterogeneity is a hallmark of Lewy body dementia (LBD), yet the impact of Lewy pathology on co-pathologies is poorly understood. Lewy pathology, containing -synuclein, is often associated with regional tau pathology burden in LBD. Similarly, granulovacuolar degeneration bodies (GVBs) have been associated with tau pathology in Alzheimers disease. Interestingly, GVBs have been detected in a broad range of neurodegenerative conditions including both -synucleinopathies and tauopathies. Despite the frequent co-occurrence, little is known about the relationship between -synuclein, tau, and granulovacuolar degeneration. MethodsWe developed a mouse model of limbic-predominant -synucleinopathy by stereotactic injection of -synuclein pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) into the basal forebrain. This model was used to investigate the relationship of -synuclein pathology with tau and GVB formation. ResultsOur model displayed widespread -synuclein pathology with a limbic predominant distribution. Aberrantly phosphorylated tau accumulated in a subset of -synuclein inclusion-bearing neurons, often colocalized with lysosomes. Many of these same neurons also contained CHMP2b- and CK1{delta}-positive granules, established markers of GVBs, which suggests a link between tau accumulation and GVB formation. Despite this observation, GVBs were also detected in tau-deficient mice following PFF-injection, suggesting that pathological -synuclein alone is sufficient to elicit GVB formation. ConclusionsOur findings support that -synuclein pathology can independently elicit granulovacuolar degeneration. The frequent co-accumulation of tau and GVBs suggests a parallel mechanism of cellular dysfunction. The ability of -synuclein pathology to drive GVB formation in the absence of tau highlights the broader relevance of this process to neurodegeneration with relevance to the pathobiology of LBD.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Leaf size determines damage- and herbivore-induced volatile emissions in maize

Stress-induced plant volatiles play an important role in mediating ecological interactions between plants and their environment. The timing and location of the inflicted damage is known to influence the quality and quantity of induced volatile emissions. However, how leaf characteristics and herbivore feeding behavior interact to shape volatile emissions is not well understood. Using a high-throughput volatile profiling system with high temporal resolution, we examined how mechanical damage and herbivore feeding on different leaves shapes plant-level volatile emission patterns in maize. We then tested feeding patterns and resulting consequences on volatile emissions with two generalist herbivores (Spodoptera exigua and Spodoptera littoralis), and assessed whether feeding preferences are associated with enhanced herbivore performance. We found maize seedlings emit more volatiles when larger leaves are damaged. Larger leaves emitted more volatiles locally, which was the determining factor for higher plant-level emissions. Surprisingly, both S. exigua and S. littoralis preferentially consumed larger leaves, and thus maximize plant volatile emission without apparent growth benefits. Together, these findings provide an ecophysiological and behavioral mechanism for plant volatile emission patterns, with potentially important implications for volatile-mediated plant-environment interactions.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Volatiles from low R:FR-treated maize plants increase the emission of herbivore-induced plant volatiles in their neighbors

Low Red (R) to Far Red (FR) light ratios, a light signal associated with vegetation shade, can prompt intact maize (Zea mays) plants to constitutively emit more volatiles when exposed to herbivory-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). Here we investigated how simulated shading affects priming responses in the context of volatile-mediated plant-plant interactions. Receiver maize plants were exposed to either constitutive volatile organic compounds (cVOCs) or HIPVs from emitter maize plants, while we manipulated R:FR light conditions of receivers or emitters. Priming responses in the receivers were then assessed by measuring real-time volatile emissions following simulated herbivory. We show that low R:FR light enhances HIPVs emissions in plants previously exposed to HIPVs from neighbours independently of the light conditions of emitters. We also demonstrate that both cVOCs and HIPVs emitted by maize grown under low R:FR amplify HIPVs emissions in their neighbours. This amplified response could not be explained by FR-mediated changes in the release of green leaf volatiles or terpenoids by emitters, thus suggesting the involvement of other VOCs. We conclude that volatile-mediated plant-plant interactions can be expected to become more intense in denser canopies due to light-mediated amplification of volatile emission and responsiveness.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Analyzing Biodiversity in Protected vs. Unprotected Tide Pools

This study assessed the efficacy of marine protected areas (MPAs) by comparing tide pool biodiversity in Half Moon Bay, California between a protected site (Fitzgerald Marine Reserve) and an unprotected site (Mavericks Beach). Samples were collected through random quadrat surveys. ImageJ and RStudio were used to analyze data through three methods utilizing the Simpsons Diversity Index along with three metrics. The unprotected Mavericks Beach displayed greater biodiversity through two metrics while the third did not find significant difference in biodiversity between sites. 30 unique species were present at each site with 43 species between both. These mixed findings prevent us from drawing definitive conclusions on the effectiveness of Half Moon Bays tide pool MPAs but suggest the MPA is less biodiverse. Potential explanations include the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, lack of sample size, or that the MPA is not effective in maintaining biodiversity.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2024

UltraCortex: Submillimeter Ultra-High Field 9.4 T Brain MR Image Collection and Manual Cortical Segmentations

The UltraCortex repository (https://www.ultracortex.org) houses magnetic resonance imaging data of the human brain obtained at an ultra-high field strength of 9.4 T. It contains 86 structural MR images with spatial resolutions ranging from 0.6 to 0.8 mm. Additionally, the repository includes segmentations of 12 brains into gray and white matter compartments. These segmentations have been independently validated by two expert neuroradiologists, thus establishing them as a reliable gold standard. This resource provides researchers with access to high-quality brain imaging data and validated segmentations, facilitating neuroimaging studies and advancing our understanding of brain structure and function. Existing repositories do not accommodate field strengths beyond 7 T, nor do they offer validated segmentations, underscoring the significance of this new resource.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Component specific responses of the microbiomes to common chemical stressors in the human food chain

Along a food chain, microbiomes occur in each component and often contribute to the functioning or the health of their host or environment. One Health emphasizes the connectivity of each components health. Chemical stress typically causes dysbiotic microbiomes, but it remains unclear whether chemical stressors consistently affect the microbiomes along food chain components. Here, we systematically challenged a model food chain, including water, sediments, soil, plants, and animals, with three chemical stresses consisting of arsenic (a toxic trace element), benzoxazinoids (an abundant bioactive plant metabolites), and terbuthylazine (an herbicide typically found along a human food chain). The analysis of 1,064 microbiome profiles for commonalities and differences in their stress responses indicated that chemical stressors decreased microbiome diversity in soil and animal, but not in the other microbiomes. In response to stress, all food chain communities strongly shifted in their composition, generally becoming compositionally more similar to each other. In addition, we observed stochastic effects in host-associated communities (plant, animal). Dysbiotic microbiomes were characterized by different sets of bacteria, which responded specifically to the three chemical stressors. Microbial co-occurrence patterns significantly shifted with either decreased (water, sediment, plant, animal) or increased (soil) network sparsity and numbers of keystone taxa following stress treatments. This suggested major re-distribution of the roles that specific taxa may have, with the community stability of plant and animal microbiomes being the most affected by chemical stresses. Overall, we observed stress- and component-specific responses to chemical stressors in microbiomes along the model food chain, which could have implications on food chain health.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Single molecule array measures of LRRK2 kinase activity in serum link Parkinson's disease severity to peripheral inflammation

BackgroundLRRK2-targeting therapeutics that inhibit LRRK2 kinase activity have advanced to clinical trials in idiopathic Parkinsons disease (iPD). LRRK2 phosphorylates Rab10 on endolysosomes in phagocytic cells to promote some types of immunological responses. The identification of factors that regulate LRRK2-mediated Rab10 phosphorylation in iPD, and whether phosphorylated-Rab10 levels change in different disease states, or with disease progression, may provide insights into the role of Rab10 phosphorylation in iPD and help guide therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway. MethodsCapitalizing on past work demonstrating LRRK2 and phosphorylated-Rab10 interact on vesicles that can shed into biofluids, we developed and validated a high-throughput single-molecule array assay to measure extracellular pT73-Rab10. Ratios of pT73-Rab10 to total Rab10 measured in biobanked serum samples were compared between informative groups of transgenic mice, rats, and a deeply phenotyped cohort of iPD cases and controls. Multivariable and weighted correlation network analyses were used to identify genetic, transcriptomic, clinical, and demographic variables that predict the extracellular pT73-Rab10 to total Rab10 ratio. ResultspT73-Rab10 is absent in serum from Lrrk2 knockout mice but elevated by LRRK2 and VPS35 mutations, as well as SNCA expression. Bone-marrow transplantation experiments in mice show that serum pT73-Rab10 levels derive primarily from circulating immune cells. The extracellular ratio of pT73-Rab10 to total Rab10 is dynamic, increasing with inflammation and rapidly decreasing with LRRK2 kinase inhibition. The ratio of pT73-Rab10 to total Rab10 is elevated in iPD patients with greater motor dysfunction, irrespective of disease duration, age, sex, or the usage of PD-related or anti-inflammatory medications. pT73-Rab10 to total Rab10 ratios are associated with neutrophil activation, antigenic responses, and the suppression of platelet activation. ConclusionsThe extracellular ratio of pT73-Rab10 to total Rab10 in serum is a novel pharmacodynamic biomarker for LRRK2-linked innate immune activation associated with disease severity in iPD. We propose that those iPD patients with higher serum pT73-Rab10 levels may benefit from LRRK2-targeting therapeutics to mitigate associated deleterious immunological responses.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

The benzoxazinoid breakdown product 5-Methoxy-2-Nitrophenol has a dual function in maize defense against herbivory

Catabolism of plant secondary metabolites can yield bioactive breakdown products. However, these compounds often remain poorly characterized. Here, we report on the discovery, biosynthesis, and biological relevance of 5-Methoxy-2-Nitrophenol (5M2NP), a secondary metabolite breakdown product which accumulates in damaged maize tissues. We used mutant plants, biochemical complementation, and metabolomic analyses to determine the biosynthetic origin of 5M2NP. Additionally, we assessed 5M2NPs role in plant defense against herbivores. For this, we surveyed defense-associated responses (gene expression, phytohormones, volatile organic compounds) in wounded, 5M2NP-supplemented maize leaves, and performed bioassays with herbivorous insects. We found that 5M2NP accumulation upon tissue disruption is contingent upon a functional benzoxazinoid biosynthesis pathway. Labeling experiments demonstrated that 5M2NP is derived from DIMBOA. Physiological doses of exogenous 5M2NP increased the wound-induced expression of defense genes and emission of terpenoids. Additionally, 5M2NP exhibited antibiotic and antixenotic activities towards both generalist and specialist herbivores in nano-to micromolar quantities. We conclude that 5M2NP, which represents a novel class of plant-derived compounds, can act as a direct defense and a defense modulator. 5M2NP thus expands the functional repertoire of benzoxazinoids and likely contributes to their protective function against insect herbivores. The discovery of 5M2NP highlights the multifunctionality of plant secondary metabolites and their breakdown products.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2023

The lactonase BxdA mediates metabolic adaptation of maize root bacteria to benzoxazinoids

Root exudates contain secondary metabolites that affect the plants root microbiome. How microbes cope with these bioactive compounds, and how this ability shapes root microbiomes remain largely unknown. We investigated how maize root bacteria metabolise benzoxazinoids, the main specialised metabolites of maize. Diverse and abundant bacteria metabolised the major compound (6-methoxy-benzoxazolin-2-one, MBOA) in the maize rhizosphere to 2-amino-7-methoxyphenoxazin-3-one (AMPO). By contrast, bacteria isolated from Arabidopsis, which does not produce benzoxazinoids, were unable to metabolise MBOA. Among Microbacteria strains, this differential metabolisation allowed to identify a conserved gene cluster containing the lactonase bxdA. BxdA converts MBOA to AMPO in vitro and we show that this capacity provided bacteria a growth benefit under carbon-limiting conditions. Together these results reveal that maize root bacteria - through BxdA - are metabolically adapted to the benzoxazinoids of their host. We propose that metabolic adaptation to plant-specialised compounds shapes root bacterial communities across the plant kingdom.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Bacterial tolerance to host-exuded specialized metabolites structures the maize root microbiome

Plants exude specialized metabolites from their roots and these compounds are known to structure the root microbiome. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We established a representative collection of maize root bacteria and tested their tolerance against benzoxazinoids, the dominant specialized and bioactive metabolites in the root exudates of maize plants. In vitro experiments revealed that benzoxazinoids inhibited bacterial growth in a strain- and compound-dependent manner. Tolerance against these selective antimicrobial compounds depended on bacterial cell wall structure. Further, we found that native root bacteria isolated from maize tolerated the benzoxazinoids better compared to non-host Arabidopsis bacteria. This finding suggests the adaptation of the root bacteria to the specialized metabolites of their host plant. Bacterial tolerance to 6-methoxy-benzoxazolin-2-one (MBOA), the most abundant and selective antimicrobial metabolite in the maize rhizosphere, correlated significantly with the abundance of these bacteria on benzoxazinoid-exuding maize roots. Thus, strain-dependent tolerance to benzoxazinoids largely explained the abundance pattern of bacteria on maize roots. Abundant bacteria generally tolerated MBOA, while low abundant root microbiome members were sensitive to this compound. Our findings reveal that tolerance to plant specialized metabolites is an important competence determinant for root colonization. We propose that bacterial tolerance to plant-secreted antimicrobial compounds is an underlying mechanism determining the structure of host-specific microbial communities. Significance StatementDiverse microbial communities colonize plant roots. They feed on carbon rich root exudates which contain a diverse mix of chemicals including primary and specialized metabolites. Here we show that specialized metabolites act as selective antibiotics to shape the root bacterial communities. By growing single isolates of maize root bacteria in the presence of benzoxazinoids in vitro, we find that the strains differ greatly in their tolerance to benzoxazinoids. Their different levels of tolerance largely explained their abundance on benzoxazinoid-exuding roots. Our work shows how plant specialized metabolites act to shape the maize root microbial community and thus deepened our mechanistic understanding of how plants shape their microbiome.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Soil chemical and microbial gradients determine accumulation of root exuded secondary metabolites and plant-soil feedbacks in the field

IntroductionHarnessing positive plant-soil feedbacks via crop rotations is a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture. Plants can influence soil properties including microbes by exuding specialized metabolites. However, the effects are often context dependent and variable. If and how local soil heterogeneity may explain this variation is unknown. Benzoxazinoids are specialized metabolites that are released in high quantities by cereals such as wheat and maize. Benzoxazinoids can alter rhizosphere microbiota and the performance of plants subsequently growing in the exposed soils and are thus an excellent model to study agriculturally relevant plant-soil feedbacks in the field, and to assess how soil factors affect their outcome. Materials & methodsTo understand the importance of local variation in soil properties on benzoxazinoid-mediated plant-soil feedbacks, we conditioned plots with wild-type maize and benzoxazinoid-deficient bx1 mutant plants in a grid pattern across an arable field. We then grew winter wheat across the entire field in the following season. We determined accumulation of benzoxazinoids, root-associated microbial communities, abiotic soil properties and wheat performance in each plot. We also determined benzoxazinoid conversion dynamics in a labelling experiment under controlled conditions, and then assessed associations between soil chemical variation and benzoxazinoid-mediated plant-soil feedbacks. ResultsAcross the field, we detected a marked gradient in soil chemical and microbial community composition. This gradient resulted in significant differences in benzoxazinoid accumulation. These differences were explained by differential benzoxazinoid degradation rather than exudation. Benzoxazinoid exudation modulated alpha diversity of root and rhizosphere bacteria and fungi during maize growth, but not during subsequent wheat growth, while the chemical fingerprint of benzoxazinoid accumulation persisted. Averaged across the field, we detected no significant feedback effects of benzoxazinoid conditioning on wheat performance and defence, apart from a transient decrease in biomass during vegetative growth. Closer analysis however, revealed pronounced feedback effects along the chemical and microbial gradient of the field, with effects gradually changing from negative to positive along the gradient. ConclusionOverall, this study revealed that plant-soil feedbacks differ in strength and direction within a field, and that this variation can be explained by standing chemical and microbial gradients, which strongly affect benzoxazinoid accumulation in the soil. Understanding within-field soil heterogeneity is crucial for the future exploitation of plant-soil feedbacks in sustainable precision agriculture.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2023

High-resolution kinetics of herbivore-induced plant volatile transfer reveal tightly clocked responses in neighboring plants

Volatiles emitted by herbivore-attacked plants (senders) can enhance defenses in neighboring plants (receivers), with important consequences for community dynamics. However, the temporal dynamics of this phenomenon remain poorly studied. Using a custom-built, high- throughput proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) system, we explored temporal patterns of volatile transfer and responses between herbivore-attacked and undamaged maize plants. We found that continuous exposure to natural blends of herbivore-induced volatiles results in clocked temporal response patterns in neighboring plants, characterized by an induced terpene burst at the onset of the second day of exposure. This delayed burst is not explained by terpene accumulation during the night, but coincides with delayed jasmonate accumulation in receiver plants. The delayed burst occurs independent of day : night light transitions and cannot be fully explained by sender volatile dynamics. Instead, it is the result of a stress memory from volatile exposure during the first day and secondary exposure to bioactive volatiles on the second day. Our study reveals that prolonged exposure to natural blends of stress-induced volatiles results in a response that integrates priming and direct induction into a distinct and predictable temporal response pattern. This provides an answer to the long-standing question of whether stress volatiles predominantly induce or prime plant defenses in neighboring plants, by revealing that they can do both in sequence.

plant biology↗