The more researchers study the science of plants, the more remarkable those chlorophyll-filled wonders seem to be. If your definition of ethical eating involves dining only on non-sentient plants, you might rethink your food choices. Tomatoes, Brussels sprouts and other members of the plant family are lively, highly reactive to their environments and, in a variety of ways, communicate with the world around them. This excerpt is taken from “Sorry Vegans: Brussels Sprouts Like to Live, Too,” first published in The New York Times. — MOTHER EARTH NEWS
This article is a great read. It’s that time of year when we will be planting our gardens and along with our thriving plants will come pests that want to make a meal out of them. Plants have a defense system that we can’t see or hear, but it’s there and they are standing their ground to stay healthy and thrive.
Did you know that within 20 minutes of a caterpillar munching on a leaf, the plant has gathered carbon from the atmosphere and created an irritant to the caterpillar or sticky goo to trap the pest?
When plant biologists speak of their subjects, they use active verbs and vivid images. Plants “forage” for resources such as light and soil nutrients, and “anticipate” rough spots and opportunities. By analyzing the ratio of red light and far red light (light at the far end of the spectrum) falling on their leaves, for example, plants can sense the presence of other chlorophyll species of competitors nearby and try to grow the other way. Their roots ride the underground rhizosphere and engage in cross-cultural and microbial trade.
After reading this article, you’ll never look at your innocent garden plants the same again.
