Cornell researchers have cracked a century-old mystery: how plants communicate internally in response to stress. The discovery lays the groundwork for future technologies that could allow two-way communication between plants and people.
The study, published April 23 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provides the first unified explanation of how plants use internal pressure changes to transmit mechanical and chemical signals. The findings were led by the Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS), a Cornell-led initiative funded by a $25 million National Science Foundation grant.
Pressure-based communication system discovered
Researchers found that plants use shifts in internal pressure within their vascular systems to send signals when stressed. This negative pressure, essential for water retention in stems and leaves, changes in response to external threats like drought or insect attacks.
“We now have a framework for how these signals propagate,” said lead author Vesna Bacheva, a postdoctoral associate at CROPPS and Schmidt Science Fellow. “It connects mechanical changes to chemical responses in real time.”
The mechanics behind the signal
When a plant is wounded—say, by a biting insect—the pressure drops in that location. That drop sets off a wave of movement inside the plant’s fluid system. The mass flow may carry defensive chemicals or trigger mechanosensitive channels to release calcium ions. These, in turn, can activate genes involved in the plant’s defense mechanisms.
Co-authors include Abe Stroock, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Cornell, and Margaret Frank, associate professor of plant biology. Both stress the importance of building a foundational understanding that integrates biology, biophysics, and engineering.
Toward two-way communication with plants
The ultimate goal: plants that can “talk” to farmers—and listen. CROPPS is developing “reporter plants” that visibly signal stress by changing color or lighting up. Long-term, the team envisions systems where farmers could also send signals to plants—such as a warning about upcoming drought conditions—to prompt water conservation.
“We’re moving toward programmable plants that not only communicate needs, but can adapt in real time,” Stroock said.
This foundational research brings scientists one step closer to integrating plant biology with smart farming technologies, creating a future where crops can share feedback with growers—and respond intelligently to human input.
Research collaborators and funding
The study also included researchers from the University of Arizona, Harvard University, and the University of Bordeaux. Additional funding was provided by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.
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