Plant Perfume Power

Domesticated flowers have different scent chemical profiles than wild plants in several species of squash, according to a study led by college researchers. Additionally, the specialized pollinators of these plants—squash bees—detect different compounds, called floral volatile organic compounds.

Entomologist Margarita López-Uribe, Lorenzo L. Langstroth Early Career Professor and senior author on the study, said the findings provide new insights into plant-pollinator interactions.

“In addition to squash, there are several other crops that are visited by specialist pollinators, including blueberries, tomatoes, and sunflowers,” she said. “Broadening our understanding of the chemical signals used by pollinators while visiting these crops may lead to better breeding strategies to enhance crop yields by improving pollination.”

—Katie Bohn