Japanese scientists from Saitama University have visualized communication between plants through emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the first time. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Nature Communications (NatComms).
The phenomenon of over-the-air communication between facilities using VOCs was first documented in 1983. It turned out that when attacked by harmful insects, plant organisms release certain airborne substances that warn other plants of the danger. But over the last 40 years, biologists have been unable to figure out how flora respond to volatile signals at the molecular level.
A research team led by Professor Masatsugu Toyota demonstrated in real time how plants emit and detect VOCs using a fluorescent imaging system.
The innovative setup was able to track bursts of fluorescence emitted in Arabidopsis thaliana mustard after exposure to VOCs released by a shrub attacked by caterpillars.
Scientists have found that healthy plants detect alarm signals from their damaged neighbors using special protein sensors. Volatile substances of green leaves released when mechanical damage is done to plants serve as markers.
“We have finally uncovered the complex story of when, where and how plants respond to aerial ‘warning messages’ from their endangered neighbours. This communication network, hidden from our view, plays an important role in the timely protection of neighboring facilities from imminent threats,” said Professor Toyota.
Previous scientists warned It is stated that half of the medicines are in danger of extinction due to the loss of plants.