Walnut trees secrete an aspirin compound when under stress, which may be detected by nearby plants.
Researchers have found that at least one type of tree can signal nearby plants of impending drought or other environmental stress that could affect plant well-being.
Scientists at the U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) say they observed walnut trees releasing large amounts of an aspirin compound to reduce damage from adverse conditions, and to possibly warn nearby plants.
“These findings show tangible proof that plant-to-plant communication occurs on the ecosystem level,” said NCAR scientist and study co-author Alex Guenther.
Writing in Biogeosciences, the team said the finding could lead to farmers being able to recognize early warning signs from crops that they are about to fail.
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