human development threatens plants’ first line of defense

USU researcher Fred Provenza’s recent work has focused on secondary compounds, which are unique chemicals produced by plants that are frequently used as defenses against herbivores and other enemies.

“We have learned much in the past 40 years about the roles of so-called secondary compounds in the health of plants,” said Provenza. “Their functions are as diverse as attracting pollinators and seed dispersers, helping plants recover from injury, protecting plants from ultraviolet radiation, and defending plants against diseases, pathogens, and herbivores such as insects and birds. We are also learning of their value in the nutrition and health of herbivores and people.”

Ironically, while Provenza was studying the value of secondary compounds, their concentrations in crop and pasture plants were reduced, making plants more susceptible to environmental hardships. To remedy this, people have turned to fossil fuel-based fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides to grow and protect plants; monocultures, antibiotics and anthelmintics to maintain the health of herbivores; and nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals to sustain the well being of humans. These practices can corrupt the health of livestock and humans.

“We are now attempting to genetically engineer compounds with similar beneficial functions back into plants,” said Provenza. “Now we should be asking how and why nature grew plants with diverse mixtures in the first place. We should re-construct grazing lands with an assorted species of plants that provide complementary benefits for soils, plants, herbivores and people.”