/oss/taxonomy/term/4791/all en /oss/article/nutrition-environment/sweet-potatoes-and-some-sweet-chemistry <p>In November 2019, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-53946-0">a study</a> published in <em>Scientific Reports </em>showed a fascinating defense mechanism possessed by a certain variety of sweet potato named TN 57, which was known to be much more resistant to pests than other strains. Researchers found that when one of the plant’s leaves is attacked by insects, or damaged in any other way, it releases a strong odour that serves to alert the rest of the affected plant’s leaves, as well as those of neighbouring plants, that danger is nearby.</p> Fri, 11 Sep 2020 16:25:30 +0000 Caitlin Bard, OSS Intern 8402 at /oss