In my last post I discussed the underlying theory to plant communication. In
this blog I hope to outline a possible signalling mechanisms used in plant
communication. It is possible that there are many signalling mechanisms used
and all so possible that different plant species use different mechanisms dependent on the situation and environment. The topic has such a vast array of possibilities
that makes it difficult to pinpoint one possible mechanism that works in all
situations and with all plant.
In their article Baldwin, Kessler and Halitschke (2002) discussed volatile
signalling. In which plants are assumed to release volatiles after herbivores
attack and it is thought to be done so in a highly regulated fashion. These
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that are release attract herbivorous
predators and so act as indirect defences for the plants.
Plants are highly evolved for gas exchange, and have the capacity to
release complex arrangements of VOCs into the air. This ability is what fuels
the idea that plants communicate though volatiles. Plants compete for
resources, and this gives rise to the idea that plants providing
information to competitors are unlikely to be selected for in an environment.
This therefore suggests that instead of being dubbed plant
'communication' it should rightly be named 'Eavesdropping elms'. Wounding
plants releases volatiles; one reason for this is because the vascular
tissue of the plant has been damaged in which VOCs are stored. But it has all
so been shown that it is a result of de novo synthesis which is
the synthesis of complex molecules from simple molecules such as sugars or
amino acids.
Balwin, Kessler and Halitschke's (2002) article goes on to then talk about how
the testing for this experiment needs be improved, highly regulated and more
similar to the natural environmental conditions that the plants endure in order for it to be seen as a viable mechanism for communication between plants.
I hope to have given a brief overview of how is it possible for plants to
communicate, or eves drop via volatiles to increase their environmental
fitness.
If you wish to read more on this topic, the reference in given below.
Baldwin, I, Kessler, A, Halitschke, R 2002, 'Volatile signaling in plant–plant–herbivore interactions:
what is real?' Current Opinion in Plant Biology, vol. 5, no.2, pp. 351-354
This is probably one of the classic examples of plant communication – the use of volatile components. Nice example. Do plants also use non-volatile signals to communicate?
ReplyDeleteI read something about them using fungi in the soil to communicate with each other. I need to research it some more but it may be my next blog topic.
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