The silence in the garden can be deceiving. Scientists were finally able to confirm the long-standing assumptions by many gardeners that plants are able to exchange information
During the experiment, the researchers figured out how plants can talk to each other by modifying a gene from a member of the cabbage family, which triggered the production of gas when the plant's surface was cut or punctured. By adding a thermosensitive protein called luciferase to plant DNA, which makes fireflies glow in the dark, scientists could use cameras to observe plant emissions. By cutting off one leaf from a cabbage plant with scissors, the researchers noticed that it began to emit methyl jasmonate gas, thereby informing its neighbors about possible danger.
Two other untouched plants that were nearby, having received a warning message, began to prepare for "defense". Plant leaves began to actively release toxic chemicals designed to ward off potential predators such as caterpillars.
This process was first captured on camera and, as scientists note, confirms the likelihood that plants communicate with each other in a complex language "invisible" to us, about which we know nothing.
The footage will be presented in the program How to grow a plant» (How to Grow a Planet) on BBC2 channel on Tuesday, Professor Ian Stewart (Iain Stewart). Observing the experiment at the University of Exeter, Professor Stewart said: “It was obvious that the gas released by the damaged plant was initiating changes in the biological activity of two of its fellows nearby. The latter recognized a message warning them of danger and calling for self-defense.
It is amazing to think that in the silence of the garden, in fact, the plants are constantly talking among themselves, only we are not able to hear it. Most people believe that plants lead a rather passive lifestyle, but in reality they move, feel and communicate with each other. Together, these abilities can be compared to the intelligence of plants."
Research work was carried out by Professor Nick Smirnov (Nick Smirnoff), who pointed out that this does not mean that plants can feel pain because they have no nerves.
Biochemistry professor Smirnov also added: “We managed to show clearly that plants start to emit a certain gas when they are injured, in order to warn their neighbors about the danger. But we do not yet know why this is happening. Perhaps this was an attempt by the plant to warn its other intact parts from danger, and neighboring plants simply accidentally reacted to the signal.
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Or plants have specially developed such an ability for some reason. But then it is not clear why, because it is generally accepted that in nature plants must compete with each other, fighting for survival. Thus, we still have a lot of work to do to find out the real reason for the mysterious phenomenon in plant life."