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PLANT VOLATILE ELICITOR FROM INSECTS
Patent Number: 6054483
Docket Number: 14293
Serial Number: 8757701
Date Patented: 04/25/2000
Agency:
Agricultural Research Service
Date Filed:
December 3, 1996
Abstract:
The invention relates to a blend of volatile compounds which can attract and/or retain
beneficial insects, repel non-beneficial insects, increase the fragrance in flowers or
essential oils in plants such as mint, and increase the production of pharmacological
compounds such as taxol. Many leafy plants are genetically programmed to react to leaf
eating insects by producing protective chemicals. Taxus media, for example, will increase
production of taxol and mint will increase production of mint flavor. Besides the primary
reaction of the plant, the volatile compounds may induce a secondary reaction in other
insects such as attracting desirable insects hoping to feed on the leaf eating insects or
repelling further attack by leaf eating insects. It has been found that by spraying plants with
a blend of volatile compounds similar to the oral secretions of insect herbivores it is possible
to induce the plant to produce these reactive or protective compounds without causing the
plant to sustain any leaf damage. Also, adding these volatile compounds to water in a
vase will increase the natural fragrance of cut flowers placed in the water.
Inventors:
James H. Tumlinson III |
Insect Attractants, Behavior & Basic Bio Res. Lab. |
P.O. Box 14565 |
1700 S. W. 23rd Drive |
Gainesville, FL 32604 |
(352) 374-5730 |
(352) 374-5707--fax |
Industry Keywords:
corn, cotton, barley, beans, citrus, arthropod plant pests, greenhouse, field, defense protein
synthesis, tuber formation, potato, terpenoid, biocontrol, crop protection
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