Plants synthesize volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to attract pollinators and beneficial microorganisms, to defend themselves against herbivores and pathogens, and for plant-plant communication. In general, VOCs accumulate in and are emitted from the tissue of their biosynthesis. However, using biochemical and reverse genetic approaches, we demonstrate a new physiological phenomenon: inter-organ aerial transport of VOCs via natural fumigation. Before petunia flowers open, a tube-specific terpene synthase produces sesquiterpenes, which are released inside the buds and then accumulate in the stigma, potentially defending the developing stigma from pathogens. These VOCs also affect reproductive organ development and seed yield, which are previously unknown functions of terpenoid compounds.

植物合成挥发性有机化合物（VOC）来吸引传粉媒介和有益微生物，保护自身免受草食动物和病原体的侵害，并实现植物与植物之间的交流。通常，VOC会在其生物合成的组织中积累并从组织中释放出来。但是，使用生化和逆向遗传方法，我们证明了一种新的生理现象：通过自然熏蒸进行VOC的器官间空中运输。在矮牵牛花朵开放之前，管特异的萜烯合酶产生倍半萜烯，其被释放在芽内，然后在柱头中积累，从而有可能保护病原体的柱头。这些挥发性有机化合物还影响生殖器官发育和种子产量，这是萜类化合物以前未知的功能。