Biogenic secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) can be formed from the oxidation of plant volatiles in the atmosphere. Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) can elicit plant defenses, but whether such ecological functions persist after they form SOAs was previously unknown. Here we show that Scots pine seedlings damaged by large pine weevils feeding on their roots release HIPVs that trigger defenses in neighboring conspecific plants. The biological activity persisted after HIPVs had been oxidized to form SOAs, which was indicated by receivers displaying enhanced photosynthesis, primed volatile defenses, and reduced weevil damage. The elemental composition and quantity of SOAs likely determines their biological functions. This work demonstrates that plant-derived SOAs can mediate interactions between plants, highlighting their ecological significance in ecosystems.

中文翻译：

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生物成因次生有机气溶胶参与植物相互作用和食草防御


生物成因次级有机气溶胶 （SOA） 可由大气中植物挥发物的氧化形成。食草动物诱导的植物挥发物 （HIPVs） 可以引发植物防御，但这种生态功能在形成 SOA 后是否持续存在以前尚不清楚。在这里，我们表明，被以根部为食的大型松象虫破坏的苏格兰松树幼苗会释放 HIPV，从而触发邻近同种植物的防御。在 HIPV 被氧化形成 SOA 后，生物活性仍然存在，这由接收器表现出增强的光合作用、引发的挥发性防御和减少象鼻虫损伤来表明。SOA 的元素组成和数量可能决定了它们的生物学功能。这项工作表明，植物来源的 SOA 可以介导植物之间的相互作用，突出了它们在生态系统中的生态意义。