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Abstract
In spite of initial doubts about the reality of 'talking trees', plant resistance
expression mediated by volatile compounds that come from neighboring plants is now
well described. Airborne signals usually improve the resistance of the receiver, but
without obvious benefits for the emitter, thus making the evolutionary explanation
of this phenomenon problematic. Here, we discuss four possible non-exclusive explanations
involving the role of volatiles: in direct defense, as within-plant signals, as traits
that synergistically interact with other defenses, and as cues among kin. Unfortunately,
there is a lack of knowledge on the fitness consequences of plant communication for
both emitter and receiver. This information is crucial to understanding the ecology
and evolution of plant communication via airborne cues.