Induced Defence Research and Potential Application of Induced Defences in Forestry

Abstract

Utilization of induced defence in forest pest management has the potential to increase total forest productivity provided the factors which influence the induced resistance response in forest trees are understood. Of the many possible mechanisms that could be responsible for protecting trees from herbivores is induced plant chemical defences. Induced response vary spatially that they can remain localized or can spread from a damaged plant to an undamaged plant. Manipulation of induced plant defence by mechanical defoliation and in the regulation and stimulation of natural enemies influenced by chemical signals emitted from infested plants are also discussed.