After sensational experiments on plants that proved that they can feel, think and even speak, the results of new research seem to have faded. However, scientists have recently discovered that plants can perceive sound waves.
In a new report from the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU), the researchers reported that plants respond to specific sounds made by caterpillars when they eat leaves, and the plant begins to defend itself upon hearing these sounds.
During the study, scientists placed caterpillars on the leaves of an Arabidopsis plant. They recorded the sounds that the caterpillar makes when eating leaves, and then removed the caterpillar and reproduced only the sounds. They found that by playing these sounds, the plants synthesized more mustard oil, which is designed to ward off insects.
Heidi Appel, a senior fellow in the plant department at the College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri-Columbia, believes that plants respond to vibration. Signal fluctuations lead to changes in plant cell metabolism. This enhances the production of deterrent substances.
In future studies, scientists plan to find out exactly how plants perceive sounds. In fact, numerous past experiments have already revealed truly extraordinary abilities in plants. It could turn nerd upside down.
Plant wonders
For example, scientists at the University of Western Australia have found that plants have long-term memory. The shy mimosa plant remembered which actions threatened her and which did not. The plant was thrown onto a shock-absorbing surface.
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At first, the mimosa rolled its leaves in fright, and then stopped. Mimosa continued to remember for a month that falling was not dangerous and did not fold the leaves. However, plants do not have a brain, which is a repository of information!
Earlier research by Cleve Baxter revealed that plants are capable of experiencing fear, joy, and remembering and recognizing people. These experiments were carried out in 1966 and were repeated many times. After that, people began to talk to plants.
In the article "Houseplants can think, speak and read our thoughts" you can learn about other abilities of plants.