If you've ever watched the rom-com movie Notting Hill, then you're definitely familiar of a scene where Hugh Grant's character went on a string of dates, including a woman who was a fruitarian-that is, she ate only those that had fallen from the tree. Unless they did, they were still living things and eating them was murder.
Many people might have thought about it funny. But the most recent study conducted by University of Missouri may eventually make you think twice or thrice. According to their findings, plants actually do have feelings or at least exhibit certain behaviors, and they tend to know if you are eating them.
Modern Farmer provides a more in-depth analysis on the study. In an article they published on Monday, October 20, they mentioned the University of Missouri study conducted on thale cress, which belongs to the same family as broccoli and mustard greens. The popularity of the plant in experiments is due to the fact it's the first plant whose genome has been sequenced. In other words, it's much easier for scientists and researchers to work on.
They then recorded a series of vibrations based on a hypothesis that plants react to sounds. Some studies had also worked on effects of acoustics to plants. They recorded accurate vibrations from a caterpillar eating plant leaves, as well as those produced by nature such as wind.
The thale cress does produce a bit of oil that, when ingested, becomes mildly toxic. That should prevent predators like insects from eating them. However, when they "heard" the caterpillar vibrations, they produced more of these oils, which they didn't do when they were exposed to other natural vibrations.
Whether this newfound information will deter many from going vegetarian, especially since one of the common reasons for not eating meat is compassion over living things, still remains to be seen. Besides, the study itself is in its infancy, and many more other similar experiments have to be conducted.
However, it's promising as it may already be possible to "teach" plants to grow or multiply faster, or protect themselves from pests, via certain sound waves. By then, farmers may no longer have to use pesticides.