Scientific research now indicates that plants communicate with each other via a series of ‘clicking’ noises to protect themselves from foreign threats.
A new study published in the Trends in Plant Science journal confirms that plants to communicate with each other via a series of ‘clicking’ noises.
After researchers at The University of Western Australia conducted an experiment where they used super sensitive microphones to listen to various parts of a corn plant, they were able to hear clicking noises coming from the plant’s saplings. Scientists at Bristol University took a reverse approach by suspending the young roots of corn plants in water and playing sounds on the 220Hz frequency (similar to the frequency recorded from the clicking noises mentioned above), and found that the roots eventually grew towards the source of the sound.
Monica Gagliano, the lead researcher, believes that while communication is no where as complex as on the ‘animal’ or human level, plants either listen to or give off these sounds and vibrations to warn each other about environmental conditions and possibly about any threats that could affect their survival. Since those vibrations can easily be transferred through the soil, one plant can tell the other about possible dangers such as drought or herbivores in the vicinity.
Gagliano explained that this new discovery could help them in filling huge gaps of understanding of how plants communicate with each other, and that the findings are only a small part of what really exists out there. The team strongly believes that sound communication plays a strong role in plants’ survival.
This doesn’t come as a surprise given that plants lean towards sunlight for energy, with some varieties even giving off chemicals to first warn others about threats, then discouraging insects and animals from eating ‘them’. While all these signs may not be considered to be intelligent life form, it does indicate that they are much more advanced that we may have initially thought.
Plants Communicate with Each Other via Sound, scientists confirm
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Originally Posted by Jab
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