Aboveground mechanical stimuli affect belowground plant-plant communication

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Ecology
• Plant Physiology

Background:

• Plants perceive neighbors and adjust growth.
• The role of abiotic stress in plant neighbor detection is unclear.
• Belowground interactions mediate plant communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how abiotic stress on neighboring plants affects belowground interactions.
• To test the acclimation response of Zea mays L. seedlings to neighbor-derived cues.
• To determine if mechanical stimuli on one plant influence the growth of its siblings via root exudates.

Main Methods:

• Zea mays L. seedlings were exposed to root exudates from mechanically stimulated or control plants.
• Seedlings were tested for growth preference towards these solutions.
• Biomass allocation (root vs. shoot) was measured in transferred seedlings.
• Simultaneous shared growth solutions were used to assess communal effects.

Main Results:

• Primary roots grew significantly less towards the root solution of mechanically stimulated plants.
• Plants transferred to the stressed plant's solution showed increased shoot biomass and decreased root biomass.
• Seedlings sharing a growth solution with stressed plants produced more total biomass.

Conclusions:

• Aboveground abiotic stress on neighboring plants modifies belowground plant responses.
• These modifications in plant communication are mediated by root exudates and belowground interactions.
• Plant neighbor detection and acclimation are influenced by stress experienced by neighbors.