Glass chambers used for the collection of herbivore induced plant volatiles from maize. Collected volatiles are analyzed to determine the airborne chemical defenses of corn as a result of armyworm attack.

Beneficial nematodes can be used to control invasive insect pests. Pictured are nematodes emerging from the cadaver of an insect pest. Chemistry scientists are using volatiles to influence the behavior of these beneficial nematodes.

The plant hormone absiscic acid (ABA) plays important roles in responding to biotic and abiotic stressors. Pictured is a series of maize mutants deficient in carotenoids, precursors to ABA. Chemistry scientists use tools such as this for studying a plant•s ability to respond to stress.

Chemistry Research Unit scientists, in collaboration with a UC Davis scientist, are investigating nectar microbes and their ability to attract pollinators as well combat pathogenic/toxigenic microbes. Pictured is the in situ volatile analysis of a flower that has been inoculated with a test microbe.

Fungal attacks elicit many known defense responses from plants. Chemistry scientists explore plants• defense responses to biotic stressors, but also under heat, drought, and elevated CO2 conditions. Pictured are healthy (top) and southern leaf blight infected (bottom) maize leaves.