Yes, plants do communicate with each other through various mechanisms. While they may not have a central nervous system like animals, they have evolved sophisticated ways to exchange information and respond to their environment.
One of the most well-known forms of plant communication is through chemical signals. When a plant is attacked by insects, it can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These VOCs can travel through the wind and be detected by nearby plants, which then activate their own defense mechanisms to prepare for potential attacks. For example, when sagebrush is grazed by herbivores, it releases VOCs that can induce neighboring plants to produce toxic chemicals to deter the herbivores.
Another fascinating way plants communicate is through underground networks of fungi called mycorrhizal networks. These networks form mutually beneficial relationships between plants and fungi, allowing them to exchange nutrients, water, and even information. Research has shown that when a plant is under stress, such as during a drought or nutrient deficiency, it can send chemical signals through these fungal networks to neighboring plants, warning them of the impending stress and triggering physiological responses to cope with it.
Furthermore, plants can communicate through electrical signals. They have been found to generate electrical impulses in response to various stimuli, such as touch, light, and gravity. These electrical signals can propagate through the plant's tissues and even travel between interconnected plants. In a study published in the journal Science, researchers demonstrated that when one touch-sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) was subjected to physical stimulation, it not only closed its own leaves but also transmitted electrical signals to nearby plants, causing them to close their leaves as well.
While these forms of plant communication may not involve conscious thoughts or intentions like human communication, they play crucial roles in plant survival and adaptation. They allow plants to coordinate their responses to environmental changes, share resources, and defend against threats.
References:
Dicke, M., & Baldwin, I. T. (2010). The evolutionary context for herbivore-induced plant volatiles: beyond the 'cry for help'. Trends in plant science, 15(3), 167-175.
Babikova, Z., Gilbert, L., Bruce, T. J., Birkett, M., Caulfield, J. C., Woodcock, C., ... & Johnson, D. (2013). Underground signals carried through common mycelial networks warn neighbouring plants of aphid attack. Ecology letters, 16(7), 835-843.
Gagliano, M., Renton, M., Duvdevani, N., Timmins, M., & Mancuso, S. (2012). Out of sight but not out of mind: alternative means of communication in plants. PloS one, 7(5), e37382.
Volkov, A. G., Carrell, H., Adesina, T., Markin, V. S., & Jovanov, E. (2010). Plant electrical memory. Plant signaling & behavior, 5(6), 686-691.
Gagliano, M., Vyazovskiy, V. V., Borbély, A. A., Grimonprez, M., & Depczynski, M. (2016). Learning by association in plants. Scientific reports, 6, 38427.