DO PLANTS COMMUNICATED WITH EACH OTHER?

The answer is yes. It may sound odd. Plants produce different kinds of chemical signals in response to the environment. They share these signals with each other, as an alarm when being attacked. These signals can be either through air or through soil. In short we can say that plants communicate with each other as in the case of animals, but in a different mode. There are instruments to receive signals and make those audible.  If we can develop these instruments suitably, such communications can be analysed, interpreted and understood. There is also a possibility of gathering warnings from the nature well in time.

Gustav Fechner, professor from Germany published a book about the communication of plants titled Nanna or Soul Life of Plants. This book has inspired many scientists to have closer look at the communication of plants. Some recent studies reveal that plants communicate with each other and also can respond when humans communicate with them. Rich Marini of Penn's State Horticulture Department (Pennsylvania University, USA) said that plants growth can be induced by many factors such as wind or vibration. Since sounds are basically vibrations, human conversation to plants may cause possible changes. Korean researchers published a result of their study in 2007 and it adhered with the idea of Marini. They tested playing sounds at 70 decibels near the plants and they responded. Their genes became active during the process. The study also concluded that as the frequency increased, gene activity also increased.

In a study released in 1983, there was a shocking revelation about plants being able to communicate with each other. Willow trees, sugar maples and poplars were said to have warned each other for a possible insect attack. This paved the way for the other trees that were not damaged to ward off attack by releasing chemicals to repeal bugs. There are also some studies that suggest bees and plants could pick up each other's signals. This is why the process of pollination is usually successful.

The study of plant communication is at very early stage. If we can gather more knowledge through the scientific studies we may be able to find means to resist pests and increase the agricultural output substantially.

KV George

kvgeorgein@gmail.com