How Plants Communicate and Protect Each Other
A wonderful story of communication and collaboration is unfolding in the peaceful realm of the plant kingdom. Plants engage in chemical talks beneath the soil and among the leaves and branches that, at first view, may appear to be something out of a science fiction novel. However, this is a truly real phenomena that demonstrates the amazing ways in which plants communicate and protect one another. The Hidden Lives of Vegetables Despite being anchored in a single location, plants have evolved to become experts at survival. Since they are unable to escape danger, they have evolved clever strategies for adjusting to and thriving in their surroundings. Chemical signaling is one such adaptation. This is how it operates: 1. Communication from Root to Root A vast network of fungi connects the roots of many plants in the hidden world of soil. We call this network the "mycorrhizal network." These fungal strands are a means of communication for plants. For instance, a plant ma...