Plants have a body clock just like humans: study

By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

Plants have a body clock just like humans, according to new research.

It tells seeds when to germinate - which is vital to their survival.

The internal thermometer helps them remain in hibernation if it's too hot, say scientists.

It has implications for global warming as there will be almost 10 million mouths to feed by 2050.

Co-author Professor Luis Lopez-Molina, of the University of Geneva in Switzerland, said: "This trait is expected to have an impact on species distribution and plant agriculture.

"This impact will be greater as temperatures increase worldwide."

The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, sheds fresh light on how the weather triggers or delays growth.

It could combat climate change by helping optimize the production of fruit and vegetables.

Newly formed seeds are dormant. Some species take days to awaken - others months.

Their fate depends on picking the right time. Only 1 to 2°C can tip the scales in or against their favor.

The findings are based on experiments on a member of the cabbage family called Arabidopsis thaliana.

Commonly known as thale cress it has white flowers and grows about eight inches tall.

The Swiss team found a protein called phytochrome B acts as a brake during development.

They dissected seeds to separate the embryo and the endosperm - nourishing tissue that also controls germination.

Embryos deprived of their endosperm were unable to stop growth under too high temperatures - which leads to their death.

First author Dr. Urszula Piskurewicz said: "We found thermo-inhibition in Arabidopsis is not autonomously controlled by the embryo but implemented by the endosperm, revealing a new essential function for this tissue.

"In other words, in the absence of endosperm, the embryo within the seed would not perceive that the temperatures are too high and would begin its germination, which would be fatal."

The phenomenon is a new example of the influence of climatic variations on plant biology such as germination and flowering.