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Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Prince Charles was right all along - plants definitely communicate with each other!

Researchers have discovered how plants, talk by modifying a cabbage gene which triggers the production of a gas emitted when a plant’s surface is cut or pierced.

The same protein that makes fireflies glow in the dark, was added to the plants' DNA.

A cabbage plant then had a leaf cut off and started emitting a gas that warned its neighbours of a possible threat. Untouched plants nearby produced toxic chemicals on their leaves to fend off predators.

It's the first time the process has been filmed and the researchers say it raises the possibility that plants are all communicating with each other in a complex ‘invisible language’ .

In the words of one scientist who watched the footage, "Most people assume that plants lead a rather passive life, but in reality they move and sense and communicate. It’s almost like they show a kind of intelligence."’

Experiment leader Professor Nick Smirnoff, adds that it doesn't mean plants feel pain, because they have no nerves.

My personal note - well, not nerves we know about yet!