September 19, 2008

YES THERE IS SOMETHING NEW UNDER THE SUN



" Plant-to-plant communication occurs on a ecosystem level, " -
Alex Guenther, scientist, National Center for Atmospheric Research


We've all heard that talking to your plants is suppose to help them thrive but I had no clue that plants communicated with each other. Researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research have recently discovered that stressed plants produce an aspirin-like chemical that is a sort of immune response that helps protect them. The chemical is thought to be the means by which they communicate to neighboring plants, warning them of a threat.

The scientists took measurements of the ch emical and found significant amounts in the atmosphere above the plants that were subject to drought, disease or injury.

Right now there's no way to know that plants are stressed, other than visible signs such as dead leaves, so these findings may be of great help to farmers and foresters who may be able to start monitoring plants for early signs of stress, insects or disease.

Research has shown that plants being consumed by animals also produce the methyl salicylate form of aspirin. I wonder if my tomatoes are stressed about me eyeing them for my next meal.





5 comments:

  1. Amazing. Communication but presumably without claiming conciousness. Quite possible as an evolutionary mechanism. Or do your plants really understand when you're about to harvest them ...?

    As a vegetarian I have to hope they don't - or at least don't mind. Other wise I'd starve to death :)

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  2. I would presume so, Sue, or we'd be like the targets in the cult film, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.

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  3. How interesting. It is amazing how much we don't know about mother nature.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  4. My sentiments exactly, Jan. Thanks for visiting.

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  5. Im being bad and browsing through the pictures and not reading the posts (on this occasion).

    I want to walk down this path.

    Lucy
    PICTURES JUST PICTURES

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