Scientists have long known that touching plants can cause a stress response in them, but until now there is no evidence
Understanding how this process happens at a fundamental level can help researchers in everything from improving plant health to higher yields.
The authors of the new work processed watercress with softbrush. This activated thousands of genes and stress hormones were released in the plant. The scientists then used genetic screening to find the genes responsible for this process.
The researchers found six separate genes that play a role in touch response, three in the jasmonic acid signaling pathway, and three in a separate signaling pathway.
“Our results reveal a scientific mystery,which eluded molecular biologists for 30 years. We have identified a completely new signaling pathway that controls the plant's response to physical contact and touch. Now the search for additional ways continues, ”the scientists said.