Plants Really Do Talk to Each Other

Researchers may have found a secret language used by plants that produces positive and negative results. By using nanomechanical vibrations or sounds, plants communicate to one another even when all forms of communication seem to be cut off. The study, published in the May issue of BMC Ecology, showed that chili plants grow more successfully next to basil plants. But when chemical and light signals are blocked and physical contact is removed, the plants still seem to communicate and flourish. The opposite is also true. When planted next to fennel, chili pepper seeds are hindered from germinating. Fennel is knows to release chemicals that stunt the growth of other plants; however, when protected from the chemical, the chili pepper was still reluctant to germinate when placed near the plant. Read more (Science Daily) or view the abstract.