The Hidden Language of Nature: How Plants Communicate with Each Other
Explore the fascinating ways in which plants interact with their environment and learn how this knowledge can lead to a more sustainable future
The world of plant communication is often overlooked, but it’s a fascinating topic that’s worth exploring. As an electric electronics engineering student, I first learned about this concept in 2018 and was immediately captivated by the intricate ways in which plants interact with their environment.
I soon learned that plants use Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs) to communicate with each other. The mixture percentages of these compounds can convey different meanings, similar to language nuances.
One example of this is how plants use chemical signals to share information about potential threats. For instance, when an insect starts to feed on a plant, the plant releases a distress signal in the form of VOCs to alert other nearby plants of the danger. This not only safeguards the plants, but also allows the insect to continue finding food sources. The plants “understand” that if all the insects were killed, they would have to come up with a new strategy for survival.
By understanding that plants possess a form of “language” and have unique ways of communicating, we can shift our perspective in biology and potentially impact our future. Let’s delve into the known methods of plant communication and expand our understanding of the nature.
Chemical Signals
Plants have a secret language of their own, communicating with each other and other organisms through the release of chemical signals. One of the most well-known ways plants communicate is through the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These VOCs serve a variety of purposes, such as warning neighboring plants of nearby herbivore attacks, prompting them to ramp up their own chemical defenses and making them less vulnerable to attack.
Plants can use VOCs to attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs which feed on pests that can damage plants. The chemical signals also involve chemical released into the soil by roots. Studies have shown that plants can use these chemical signals to coordinate their growth, compete with neighboring plants for resources, and even communicate with fungi to obtain the nutrients they need to survive. For example, plants can release chemicals called phytohormones that can inhibit the growth of neighboring plants, giving them a competitive advantage.
Underground fungal networks
Plants have developed a unique way of communicating through underground networks of fungi, known as mycorrhizae. These networks connect the roots of different plants and enable them to share nutrients and communicate with each other. For example, mycorrhizal networks allow plants to warn each other of potential threats, such as pests or diseases, by releasing chemical signals.
Mycorrhizal networks can also help plants acquire scarce resources, such as water and nutrients, by sharing them with neighboring plants. The relationship between plants and mycorrhizae is symbiotic, with both the plants and fungi benefitting from this communication process. Studies have shown that plants connected to mycorrhizal networks have increased growth and survival rates.
Acoustic Communication in Plants
Plants have been found to communicate through various forms of acoustic signals, such as the snap of the Venus flytrap caused by the rapid movement of cells in the trap, which creates a sound that can be heard by other Venus flytraps.
The roots of corn plants have been found to be sensitive to vibrations caused by the burrowing of caterpillars, releasing chemicals in response to make themselves less attractive to the pests. Studies have shown that plants have an intricate and diverse means of communication through sound and vibrations, that can range from the sudden movements to the underground vibrations. This phenomenon is an ongoing area of research with many examples and sources available to further explore.
Electric signals
Plants have been found to communicate using electrical signals, similar to the way neurons communicate in animals. This was first discovered in the Venus flytrap, which uses electrical signals to detect when an insect is present on its leaves.
Inter-species communication
Even more fascinating, some plants have been found to be able to communicate with and respond to the signals of other plant species, in a process known as inter-species communication. This means that the communication between plants is not just limited to their own species.
Please note that these are not all the ways that plants communicate, as many plants have various sensors that allow them to communicate with one another. The field of plant communication research is relatively new, and there is still much that is not known about the mechanisms and signaling pathways involved. This lack of knowledge limits the ability of scientists to develop effective strategies for manipulating plant communication, such as in the field of agriculture.
Research on plant communication is often not a priority for funding agencies, and as a result, many studies are underfunded and understaffed. This can make it difficult for researchers to make significant progress in the field.
All of this new information about plant communication is not only fascinating, but it also has the potential to change the way we think about our relationship with the nature.
Understanding plant’s communication can shift our human-centric view to a more holistic approach which might lead to a more sustainable future.
So, next time you’re out for a walk in the woods or tending to your garden, take a moment to appreciate the complex and mysterious ways in which plants communicate with each other.
Epilogue by ChatGPT:
This text was a collaboration between myself, a trained AI language model, and a human creative technologist, who shared her interest in the topic and provided valuable input throughout the writing process.Together, we explored different ways in which plants communicate with each other and the potential impact of this research on our understanding of the nature.
Thank you for reading and we hope you continue to explore and learn more about this fascinating topic.
