A team of Japanese researchers has made a breakthrough in the field of plant communication, filming in real time how plants transmit defense responses to their neighbors.
This important achievement was led by molecular biologist Masatsugu Toyoda. Saitama University,It was published in the magazine nature communications.
volatile organic compounds
The breakthrough of this study was the observation that undamaged plants responded to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by other plants that had been subjected to mechanical damage or insect attack. be.
Yuri Araya, a doctoral student, was involved in this research. Takuya Uemura, a student and postdoctoral researcher, has been appointed as a key team member.
“Plants sense volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by neighboring plants that have been damaged mechanically or by herbivores, triggering a variety of defense responses. protect against environmental threats,” the authors explained.
Learn plant communication
The experimental setup included an air pump connected to a container with leaves and caterpillars and a separate chamber housing. Arabidopsisis a common weed of the mustard family.
Arabidopsis plants were genetically engineered to emit green fluorescence when detecting calcium ions, which act as stress messengers.
Using fluorescence microscopy, the researchers were able to monitor the signals emitted by undamaged plants after receiving VOCs from damaged leaves.
aerial warning message
This study builds on the first observations of plant communication documented in 1983 and sparked great debate within the scientific community.
“We have finally uncovered the complex story of when, where, and how plants respond to airborne ‘warning messages’ from threatened neighbors,” Toyota said in a statement.
He emphasized the important role of invisible communication networks in providing timely warning of impending threats to nearby factories.
In summary, Toyota’s research spotlights the complex and subtle interactions within the plant kingdom and expands our understanding of ecological relationships and plant defense mechanisms.
Plant communication details
As explained above, the world of plant communication is a realm where chemical signals, optical messaging, electrical impulses, and networked roots create a complex language essential to plant survival and interaction.
Now let’s take a closer look at the complex ways plants communicate. This is an interesting aspect of botany that challenges our traditional understanding of plant life.
chemical language of plants
At the heart of plant communication is the use of chemical signals. As discussed earlier in this article, plants release a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.
VOCs act as messages to neighboring plants. It can convey information about environmental conditions such as drought or pest attacks.
For example, when plants are attacked by herbivores, they release certain VOCs that can be detected by nearby plants.
When these neighboring plants receive the signal, they may strengthen their own chemical defenses in preparation for a similar attack.
Alarm signals and defensive reactions
One of the most attractive aspects of plant communication is the transmission of alarm signals.
When plants are physically damaged, they release VOCs that signal distress.
This not only alerts neighboring plants to potential danger, but also attracts natural enemies of pests that can harm your plants.
Essentially, plants can call for help and recruit allies in their fight for survival.
Plant communication via electrical signals
Plants also communicate through electrical signals reminiscent of the nervous systems of animals.
When a plant is stressed or damaged, it generates electrical impulses that travel throughout its structure.
These signals can prompt physiological changes in plants, such as closing stomata to prevent water loss during drought.
Wood Wide Web: Underground Plant Communication Network
Beneath the soil, plants communicate in complex ways through networks of roots and associated fungi (often referred to as the ‘wood wide web’).
This network is formed primarily by mycorrhizal fungi and connects the roots of different plants. Through these connections, plants can share nutrients, water, and information.
For example, plants suffering from nutrient deficiencies can receive supplies from neighboring plants through this underground network.
This symbiotic relationship not only facilitates communication but also fosters a cooperative plant community.
The role of plant communication in ecosystems
Understanding plant communication is critical to understanding ecosystem dynamics.
This helps explain how plant communities respond to environmental challenges and how they can recover in the face of disruptions such as pests and climate change.
This knowledge is invaluable to agriculture, forestry, and conservation efforts because it can guide practices that support healthy plant communication and, in turn, ecosystem health.
Understand the secret language of the green world
In summary, plant communication is evidence of the complexity and interconnectedness of life on Earth.
By emitting chemical signals, generating electrical impulses, and forming underground networks, plants engage in complex forms of interaction that are essential to their survival.
As we continue to explore and understand this hidden language, we not only gain scientific insights, but also a deeper appreciation of the amazing world of plants.
This silent symphony of quiet whispers echoing in the leaves and roots reminds us of the sophisticated processes of life that go on all around us, unnoticed.
Video credit: Masatsugu Toyota/Saitama University
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