Scientists from China, Switzerland, and the Netherlands say they’ve discovered that when corn is planted densely, the plants release a scent called linalool into the air. This scent tells nearby plants to slow growth but raise internal defenses. Their roots then release natural pesticides into the soil, which trains the soil’s microbes to help the next generation of corn stay healthy, even after the first crop is gone.
The result: fields closer together had fewer insect attacks, though the plants did grow a little less. The “communication” between the plants lets them better defend themselves and thrive. And with the effect lasting past the first generation, there may be a rise in “corn training” in the future.
Source: El Pais