EC Agriculture

Plant-insect interactions are essential for pollination, crop productivity, and agricultural sustainability; nonetheless, the sensory mechanisms that shape these interactions remain poorly understood. This mini-review examines emerging evidence on plant- produced sound and floral colour and their potential roles in plant-pollinator interactions. It considers acoustic emissions associated with xylem cavitation and water stress, which may convey information about plant physiological condition and influence the behaviour of insects interacting with plants. The review also examines insects’ ability to detect plant-associated acoustic signals, alongside studies of floral iridescence and nanoscale petal structures that can modify the visual cues perceived by pollinators. The review further considers how plant characteristics, insect biology, predators, plant age, nectar availability, pollutants, soil conditions, and light may confound these complex interactions. Understanding the combined effects of acoustic and visual signals may provide new perspectives on plant–pollinator ecology and its relevance to crop production. Future research integrating controlled experiments, acoustic and optical measurements, ecological observations, and artificial-intelligence-based modelling could help clarify the biological significance of these signals and their potential applications in sustainable agriculture. Overall, the available evidence suggests that plant sensory ecology is a promising area for investigating how environmental stress, plant signalling, and pollinator behaviour interact within agricultural ecosystems.

Keywords: Plant-Insect Interactions; Confounders; Floral Iridescence; Pollination; Entomophily; Xylem Cavitation; Ecoacoustics

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