PLANTS DO NOT LIKE TO BE TOUCHED

PLANTS DO NOT LIKE TO BE TOUCHED

A recent study by researchers at La Trobe University shows that constant touching can retard a plant’s growth because plants are highly sensitive to touch. This proves that the “green thumb” trait is not true. The results of the research can lead to new ways of improving plant productivity and growth.
According to Professor Jim Whelan—La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and Food’s Research Director—said that any touch from other plants, animals, humans, or insects triggers a significant genetic response. Within half an hour or contact, the genome of the plant changes. By understanding the genetic mechanisms, experts may know more about the following:

• How plants determine which insects are friends or enemies
• Understanding how plants retard their growth when they touch each other so that they could get more sunlight.
• How some plants are less sensitive to touch while staying more sensitive to other factors such as heat or cold.
• The possibility of breeding touch-resistant plants to produce more optimal plants.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181217105853.htm