Scientists from Saitama University in Japan have documented communication between plants in the course of their research. The results of the study were published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, as well as on the ScienceAlert website.
Arabidopsis thaliana plants were selected as test subjects. The plants were placed next to each other. In the course of the experiment, the specialists deliberately damaged some plants. In response to stress, the plants launched a defense mechanism and actively emitted volatile substances. The relatives in response released calcium. Thus, the undamaged plants clearly picked up danger signals from the injured neighbors and reacted in response. The signals were recorded using a fluorescence microscope.
This unusual dialog allowed molecular biologists to document the presence of an intrinsic communication mechanism in plants.
Previously, Japanese scientists conducted a similar study on the mushroom Laccaria bicolor, as a result of which it was found that they communicate using electrical signals.