Plants have body clocks just like humans

GENEVA, Switzerland — Plants possess an internal body clock similar to humans, which dictates when their seeds should germinate — a critical factor for their survival, new research shows. The plants’ internal "thermometer" enables them to stay in a dormant state if the temperature is too high, scientists say.

These findings have significant implications for climate change, especially considering the anticipated need to feed nearly 10 billion people by 2050.

"This trait is expected to have an impact on species distribution and plant agriculture and this impact will be greater as temperatures increase worldwide," says Professor Luis Lopez-Molina from the University of Geneva in Switzerland (UNIGE), the study's co-author, in a media release.

The study provides new insights into how weather influences plant growth and could potentially mitigate climate change by optimizing the production of fruits and vegetables.

Seeds, when newly formed, are dormant. While some species awaken within days, others require months. Choosing the correct time to germinate is crucial for their survival, as a temperature difference of just 1.8 to 3.6°F can significantly influence the outcome.

The researchers based their findings on experiments conducted on Arabidopsis thaliana, a member of the cabbage family, also known as thale cress. This plant, which bears white flowers and grows about eight inches tall, contains a protein called phytochrome B that acts as a developmental brake.

The scientists dissected the seeds to separate the embryo from the endosperm — the nourishing tissue that also regulates germination. They found that embryos deprived of their endosperm could not halt growth under excessive temperatures, leading to their demise.

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

This discovery highlights yet another example of how climatic variations can impact plant biology, influencing factors such as germination and flowering.

The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.

South West News Service writer Mark Waghorn contributed to this report.

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