Nobody likes a bad neighbor, even plants, according to a new study. Scientists have found that chili plants flourish when they were able to carry on a conversation with friendly neighbors.
"Our results show that plants are able to positively influence growth of seeds by some as yet unknown mechanism. Bad neighbors, such as fennel, prevent chili seed germination in the same way," said study lead author Monica Gagliano, from the University of Western Australia.
"We believe that the answer may involve acoustic signals generated using nanomechanical oscillations from inside the cell which allow rapid communication between nearby plants."
The chili plants germinated and sprouted healthier when planted next to other chili or basil plants rather than in isolation or near some nasty fennel. Even after avenues of plant communication based on chemicals or light were cut off, the chili plants seemed to be able to sense who their neighbors were. Acoustic signaling has emerged as the most likely explanation.
"We have shown that plants can recognize when a good neighbor is growing next to them," said study co-author Gagliano . "Plants are more complex organisms than we've given them credit for."
The idea that plants can recognize and benefit from acoustics isn't new. It's well known that music can affect a plant's growth, but research into the field is still in its infancy. There are still many questions involved, including what exactly constitutes this language between plants, and can every species understand it? Are there dialects and different languages all together?
"Whatever the signal is, we don't know if the plants produce it for the purpose of signaling or if it is an accidental byproduct that other plants then 'eavesdrop' on," Michael Renton, another author on the study.
You can read the full published study online in the journal BMC Ecology.
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