During growth sunflowers “dance” so as not to block the sun from each other. A recent study sheds light on a scientific puzzle that has occupied researchers since Darwin
Sunflowers exhibit a unique dance-like behavior to avoid shading each other from the sun. A new study has uncovered how plants growing in dense environments find optimal growth directions through random movements. This study addresses a longstanding scientific mystery explored since the time of Darwin, focusing on the functional role of these movements known as “circumnutations”.
The groundbreaking research led by Prof. Yasmine Meroz from Tel Aviv University, in collaboration with Prof. Orit Peleg from the University of Colorado Boulder in the USA, sheds light on this intriguing phenomenon.
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Prof. Meroz explains, “Sunflowers planted closely together in a field adapt a zigzag growth pattern to prevent shading from one another. By growing side by side in this manner, they collectively maximize sunlight exposure for optimal photosynthesis. Interestingly, plants can differentiate between various shadows, such as those from a building or a leaf, and adjust their growth direction accordingly.”
The study, featured in the prestigious journal Physical Review X, reveals the intricate dynamics of sunflower growth in dense environments.
The study delves into how sunflowers instinctively grow in optimal directions to maximize sunlight capture for the entire group. By closely observing the growth patterns of sunflowers in a lab setting, researchers captured the plants’ zig-zag movements.
According to the research team, led by scientists from Israel and the US, Darwin was the first to note the cyclical movement exhibited in plant growth (“circumnutation”). In this study, the focus was on understanding whether these movements are essential for growth or merely incidental.
Why do plants invest energy in random growth directions?
Prof. Meroz elucidates, “Sunflowers ‘dance’ to optimize their angle and prevent shading their neighboring flowers. Through statistical analysis and computer simulations, we demonstrated that these random movements collectively reduce shading.”
She further explains, “It was surprising to find that sunflowers exhibited a broad range of movements, ranging from minimal displacement to significant shifts every few minutes. By utilizing both small, slow steps and large, rapid movements, sunflowers achieve an optimal arrangement to minimize shading and enhance photosynthesis.
The dynamic of sunflower growth resembles a crowded dance party, where individuals move to create space without interfering with others. This communication dynamic involves responding to neighboring plant shadows and incorporating random movements for optimal growth.”
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