Rose Essential Oil Helps Protect Tomato Plants
Research published by the Tokyo University of Science shows that rose essential oil activates tomato defense genes and attracts herbivore predators that protect the plants. Scientists assessed the efficacy of 11 essential oils in activating tomato defense responses, as an alternative to chemical pesticides for organic production. When measuring the performance of rose essential oil in field conditions, researchers observed a 45.5% reduction in tomato pest damage compared to the control solution. They say the rose essential oil acts as a biostimulant for enhancing plant defense against pests. “Our study suggests a practical approach to promoting organic tomato production that encourages environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. This research may open doors for new organic farming systems. The dawn of potent environmentally friendly and natural pesticides is upon us,” concludes research team leader Professor Gen-ichiro Arimura.