"Talking" to plants might help warn them of attacks according to Cambridge Uni researchers

"Talking" to plants might help warn them of pest attacks or extreme weather according to research from the University of Cambridge.

A team of plant scientists used light as a messenger to find it can activate a plant's natural defence mechanism.

Plant scientists at the Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University (SLCU) found early laboratory experiments with tobacco demonstrated that a plant’s natural defence mechanism (immune response) can be activated by using light as a stimulus (messenger).

"We could also inform plants about approaching extreme weather events, such as heatwaves or drought"

In everyday human life, light is used for communication such as traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.

Lead researcher Dr Alexander Jones said: “If we could warn plants of an impending disease outbreak or pest attack, plants could then activate their natural defence mechanisms to prevent widespread damage.

“We could also inform plants about approaching extreme weather events, such as heatwaves or drought, allowing them to adjust their growth patterns or conserve water.

“This could lead to more efficient and sustainable farming practices and reduce the need for chemicals.”

The new study describes a tool called Highlighter, which uses specific light conditions to activate a specific gene in plants, for example to trigger their defence mechanisms – humans talking to plants.

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