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A new US study may make you think twice about biting into a piece of lettuce.
Scientists claim plants can feel themselves being eaten alive – and some can even tell what type of creature is attacking them.
The discovery was made after tests on the Arabidopsis plant found it can distinguish between insects eating it based on the way they chew and drool.
'It was no surprise that plants responded differently to having their leaves chewed by a caterpillar or sucked by an aphid,' Heidi Appel, senior research scientist University of Missouri told the Washington Post.
'What surprised us was how different plant responses were to each of the caterpillars and aphids. The plants could clearly tell insects apart - they really seem to "know" who's attacking.'
Plants attempt to defend themselves using different methods, such as giving off spicy flavours and rancid smells. These defences are expressed in their genes.
There were also different genetic responses to each worm, showing that the plant knew what was eating it.
Professor Appel hopes that this will allow scientists to breed plants that are naturally insect resistant rather than spraying them with pesticides.
When caterpillars later fed on both sets of plants, the researchers found that the plants previously exposed to feeding vibrations produced more mustard oils, a chemical that is unappealing to many caterpillars.
'What is remarkable is that the plants exposed to different vibrations, including those made by a gentle wind or different insect sounds that share some acoustic features with caterpillar feeding vibrations did not increase their chemical defences,' co-author Rex Cocroft, said.
'This indicates that the plants are able to distinguish feeding vibrations from other common sources of environmental vibration.'
HOW PLANTS TALK
Researchers in Bonn, Germany, found plants give off a gas when under 'attack'.
Super-sensitive microphones picked up a 'bubbling' sound from a healthy plant.
But this rose to a piercing screech when it was under threat.
Even a tiny insect bite could have an effect.
'The more a plant is subjected to stress, the louder the signal,' said Dr Frank Kühnemann.
Plants do not actually scream in pain. But different sounds are heard when the gas they emit, ethylene, is bombarded with lasers.
The research could help to work out which pieces of fruit and vegetables are likely to stay fresh longer, as a cucumber which is starting to go off produces a squealing sound.
It could then be separated from the fresher ones.
originally posted by: BlueMule
I think the solution is ritualistic expressions of gratitude toward the plants, and toward the transcendent mystery source. Thanking the plants, inviting them inside us to become us, and us them. That and taking care of the planet like the stewards we are supposed to be.
originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
originally posted by: BlueMule
I think the solution is ritualistic expressions of gratitude toward the plants, and toward the transcendent mystery source. Thanking the plants, inviting them inside us to become us, and us them. That and taking care of the planet like the stewards we are supposed to be.
Nah. I think I'll just stick to ripping the lettuce out of my garden by its roots, dousing it with bacon dressing and consuming its still squealing ass alive.
originally posted by: kevinp2300
a reply to: Anyafaj
Mmm bacon is good for you
originally posted by: Iamthatbish
I never really did like lettuce. But, I still can't be a breathatarian. My stomach would feel so... so empty!