In an effort to deter the rodents, biologists tried coating the seeds with capsaicin, the active ingredient that gives chili peppers their signature fiery taste.

為了對抗鼠類,，生物學家們試著給這些種子包裹上辣椒素,，辣椒素是給紅辣椒們帶來標志性的辛辣味道的活性成分。

 It worked: Dusting the seeds with chili powder reduced the number of seeds consumed by deer mice by 86%, researchers report in Restoration Ecology.

結(jié)果起作用了：用辣椒粉撒在種子上后,，被老鼠吃掉的種子減少了86%,，研究員們最近在《復原生態(tài)學》上發(fā)表了結(jié)果。

The hot discovery required some trial and error.

這次重大的發(fā)現(xiàn)也經(jīng)歷了很多的試驗和失敗,。

 One big challenge was finding a chili powder that would deter the mice but not prevent the seeds from germinating. 

一大挑戰(zhàn)就是要找到一種辣椒粉,，既能夠?qū)估鲜螅植粫璧K種子發(fā)芽,。

Another was finding a coating that wouldn’t weather away after a few months outdoors. 

另一大挑戰(zhàn)就是要找到一種包裹方法,，幾個月內(nèi)它都不會在戶外被沖刷掉。

After 4 years of laboratory and field experiments in Montana’s Missoula Valley, researchers found a workable recipe.

在蒙大拿的米蘇拉谷經(jīng)歷了4年的實驗室和田間試驗之后,，研究員們終于找到了一個可用的配方,。

 A powder made from the Bhut jolokia, or ghost pepper, from India—considered to be one of the world’s hottest chilis—did the trick.

利用來自印度的斷魂椒或者叫做魔鬼椒制成的粉末—被認為是世界上最辣的辣椒—符合要求。

The scientists suggest their findings demonstrate how nontoxic, natural plant defense compounds—such as capsaicin—can be used to aid restoration efforts.

科學家們建議說,，他們的發(fā)現(xiàn)展示了這種非毒性的,，自然的植物防御化合物—比如辣椒素—可以用于幫助保育嘗試,。

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