News Agriculture

How silicon turns tomato plants into mean, green, pest-killing machines


The plants ooze a “larval toffee” that essentially starves tomato pinworm larvae

South American tomato pinworm damage on tomato

The South American tomato pinworm (Tuta absoluta) is damaging tomato plants on four continents. Adding silicon nanoparticles might be a solution to combat the pests.

Costas Metaxakis/AFP via Getty Images

By Sarah Schwartz

Silicon powers more than electronics: In tomato plants, it fuels a complex defense system that could help farmers use fewer pesticides.

Tomato plants on four continents are currently under attack from the South American tomato pinworm (Tuta absoluta), which destroys billions of dollars of crops each year.