Can plants think or remember? Do they possess a form of "consciousness"?

Associate Researcher Wu Qian from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences sheds light on the fascinating world of plant "awareness" and how plants interact with their environment.

Can Plants Perceive Their Environment?

Yes, plants can sense their surroundings. Although they lack a brain, plants have a variety of sensory mechanisms that enable them to detect light, temperature, moisture, gravity, and chemical substances. These sensory abilities help them adapt to environmental changes.

Do Plants Have Consciousness?

The concept of consciousness is often associated with human and animal cognitive processes, relying on a central nervous system to control behavior. Plants lack a brain or a nervous system, making their form of "consciousness" different. However, plants exhibit behaviors that resemble the responses seen in animals with central nervous systems. Modern studies suggest that plants possess a certain level of "awareness" that allows them to react to stimuli.

In humans, consciousness involves sensing stimuli and responding accordingly. For example, the human brain perceives pain and triggers reflexes such as pulling away from a hot object. This rapid response is facilitated by electrical signals transmitted through nerve cells. Plants, on the other hand, use vascular tissues like sieve tube cells to transmit signals. These structures, along with neurotransmitter-like substances found in plants, enable them to relay electrical signals and respond to external stimuli, giving rise to what scientists term "plant consciousness."

Can Plants Think?

Video by AsapSCIENCE

How Do Plants Communicate?

Plants engage in interactions with their environment and other living organisms. While they cannot move like animals, they exhibit various adaptive responses to environmental changes. For instance, the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica reacts to touch by folding its leaves and drooping, a mechanism that helps protect it from harsh weather or pests. Similarly, carnivorous plants like the Venus flytrap use specialized structures to trap prey, requiring repeated stimuli within a short interval to close their traps.

Plants also communicate through chemical and electrical signals. For example, they release chemicals to attract pollinators or deter herbivores. In one study, when a plant was damaged, it transmitted electrical signals to a nearby sensitive plant, causing it to fold its leaves even without direct contact. These signals serve as a form of communication, enabling plants to share information about environmental threats.

Recent research has even revealed that plants emit distinct sounds in response to different stressors such as drought or physical damage. While these ultrasonic frequencies are beyond human hearing, scientists have processed them into audible sounds and found that the patterns vary depending on the type of stress. However, the exact meanings of these plant "languages" remain to be decoded.

Do Plants Have Memory?

Plants can develop defensive responses based on past experiences. For instance, when a plant is attacked by an insect, it generates electrical signals that trigger protective mechanisms such as producing toxic substances. If the plant encounters a similar threat again, it responds more effectively, demonstrating a form of memory. This ability to "remember" past events helps plants enhance their survival strategies.

Understanding plant signals and behaviors has practical implications. Researchers are utilizing AI technology to decode plant electrical signals under conditions like drought or pest attacks. These insights can lead to predictive models for agriculture, allowing farmers to monitor plant health, anticipate potential threats, and implement early interventions to improve crop management.

Plants, with their remarkable abilities to sense, respond, and adapt, reveal an intricate and "intelligent" side of nature. The ongoing exploration of plant consciousness and memory holds great promise for advancing both scientific understanding and practical applications in agriculture.