¿Las can feel plants? That’s a very good question, which we will try to answer. Although they do not have a nervous system like that of animals, there is growing evidence that they are able to sense changes in their environment and respond in different ways that could come closer to the human concept of emotion.
Plants can feel: altruism and competition
An example of a complex response that suggests that plants have feelings is their altruism. A concept defined as selfless concern for the well-being of others, demonstrating behavior that may be harmful to the individual but tends to the survival of their family members.
In the animal world, a father can sacrifice his life for his son. Someone who saves another from being run over can be considered ‘altruistic’. Members of a monkey family are able to care for one of their own who is sick. Or setting up a makeshift roof to protect the herd from a storm. But can it be an altruistic plant?
Although plants have the ability to detect the presence of other plants, the fact that they act altruistically has been the subject of few studies. However, some scientists investigated ‘kin recognition’ in the It turned out to be impatient and found that they exhibited significant levels of altruism.
These flowers respond strongly to competition for soil and especially sunlight. Because they can cover the “contest” area with leaves, taking away their light. In addition to being able to stimulate their growth and displace the root systems of neighboring plants,
These features made this species a priori, according to the scientists who investigated the topic, a likely candidate for recognition between relatives. And what they discovered amazed them: if neighboring plants were of the same species, competition immediately stopped.
Among close relatives, plants did not increase resource allocation to roots or leaves. Instead, they changed their morphology by increasing stem elongation and branching. This seems to be an example of plants working together with their relatives, to acquire the necessary resources without overshadowing themselves (literally and figuratively).
On the other hand when plants were placed It turned out to be impatient Together with alien species, plants radically changed their behavior. And they presented answers with clear competitive content. Something that is vital for survival in nature, so very understandable. Can plants feel?
Root communication?
Responses to the presence of different or the same species have been observed in certain plants whose only possible proximity was explained only by contact between the roots. This data indicated to scientists that root communication may exist and that it would be essential for plants to recognize their relatives.
This was verified in other experiments where the root exudates of different plants in different seedbeds were exposed to others. Among them were the same types and different types. When subsequent root growth was measured, it was found that roots were significantly shorter in the presence of root exudates from foreign species.
This finding could have a major impact on crops produced from related seeds, such as corn and soybeans. But it can also affect our garden, because if we plant ‘incompatible’ varieties, the reason why they do not grow may not be that they are of poor quality, but perhaps it is a case of ‘family dispute’. Can plants feel?
Is there cooperation between plants?
Plants also work together without there being a relationship or belonging to the same species. An example of this is the acacias that produce tannins to protect themselves from ingestion by animals. The airborne odor of tannin is picked up by other acacia trees, which begin to produce the same compound themselves.
The use that plants make of chemicals when interacting with animals, especially insects, is well known. When attacked by certain caterpillars, some plants can release chemical signals to attract wasps that kill and feed on their attackers.
Orchids do not have sugary compounds that allow them to entice insects and use them to spread their pollen. Therefore, they use pleasant smells or imitate the appearance of potential partners. They are all resources specific to the evolution of these plants in the nature.
A species of orchid living on the Chinese island of Hainan tricks its pollinator by emitting a chemical that bees use to sound the alarm. The discovery explains why wasps, which bees usually catch to feed their larvae, literally ‘jump’ out of flowers. Chinese dendrobium. This is a rarity even in the insect world and has never been described before in other plants. Can plants feel?
There is also some form of communication between a mushroom garden and the group of leafcutter ant workers. Atta sexdens rubropilosa. If plants appear in the garden that are poisonous to the fungus, the ants immediately kill them. But they will also ensure that these types of plants are fertilized.
Plants that survive today have likely developed communication and cooperation skills among themselves. It is important to keep in mind that the plant kingdom appeared long before the animals. And they have surpassed all other species in size, proliferation, adaptability and longevity.