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Leaf-cutter ants are the most important pest insect in agriculture. Their association with Ocimum species is common in Brazil. O. gratissimum presents three morphotypes of glandular trichomes producing compounds with… Click to show full abstract
Leaf-cutter ants are the most important pest insect in agriculture. Their association with Ocimum species is common in Brazil. O. gratissimum presents three morphotypes of glandular trichomes producing compounds with anti-herbivore properties. Under an experimental approach, we found significant alterations in O. gratissimum volatile oil composition after leaf-cutter ant attacks. The total density of glandular trichomes increased in attacked plants; however, we bring novelties in the sense that we observed differential responses to each glandular morphotype. This could be related to the specific substances produced by each trichome morphotype, contributing to the idea of functional compartmentalization in plant defense.
Journal Title: AoB Plants
Year Published: 2017
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