PLoS One October 2010 PMID 20967206

Interplant communication of tomato plants through underground common mycorrhizal networks.

Yuan Yuan Song, Ren Sen Zeng, Jian Feng Xu, Jun Li, Xiang Shen, Woldemariam Gebrehiwot Yihdego

Mentions

31
Peak: 2 in Jul 2019
across 6 sources since Jul 2018

Extended reach

4,214,305
potential audience

Total likes

86,121

Video views

4,169,409

Mentions per month

Jul 2018 – May 2025

Where it's discussed

  • Blogs10 articles
  • X / Twitter8 posts
  • News5 articles
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Facebook3 posts
  • Bluesky2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions demonstrate enthusiasm for the biological phenomena described, with phrases like 'plants can 'eavesdrop'' and references to the broader implications, which reflect both curiosity and appreciation for the research. The tone varies from scientific interest to creative applications, indicating a balanced level of engagement with a recognition of its possible significance.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions recognize and agree with the significance of the study, emphasizing the fascinating nature of plant communication via underground networks.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest, especially with references to related science fiction or mentioning the potential applications of these findings.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some users delve into the details of the concept, discussing how plants 'eavesdrop' and activate defenses, indicating moderate but meaningful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussion hints at the potential impact of this research on understanding ecosystem dynamics and agricultural practices, though mostly in a speculative manner.

Abstract in brief

  • Plants can communicate through underground networks known as common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs), allowing them to share defense signals against pathogens.
  • Research demonstrated that when tomato plants infected with the pathogen Alternaria solani connected with healthy neighboring plants via CMNs, the healthy plants showed increased disease resistance and activated several defensive enzymes and genes.
  • This suggests that healthy plants can 'eavesdrop' on the defense cues from infected neighbors, helping them prepare for potential attacks before they occur.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Maxym Reva
@MaxymReva · X

#Interplant #Communication of #Tomato Plants through Underground Common #Mycorrhizal #Networks. Plants can ‘eavesdrop’ on #defence #signals from the #pathogen-infected neighbours through CMNs to activate defences before being attacked themselves. https://t.co/4hXVklaX5a @PLOSONE https://t.co/XGpBqEwsC2

Jul 31, 2019 · 11 likes · 5 shares · 13,629 followers View post →
Sanni Färkkilä
@SFarkkila · X

@karst_justine @colinaverill @xkcd Maybe this paper is also of interest to you https://t.co/1y1IEYoUTE I didn't see it referenced in your review but I remember it as being one of the first ones in which I came across this concept ☺️

Apr 10, 2023 · 1 like · 170 followers View post →
Isatou Sarr
@IsatouSarr4 · X

#PLOSONE: Interplant Communication of Tomato Plants through Underground Common Mycorrhizal Networks https://t.co/19Oii2iPyP

May 3, 2021 · 1 like · 33 followers View post →
Maxym Reva
@MaxymReva · X

RT @MaxymReva: #Interplant #Communication of #Tomato Plants through Underground Common #Mycorrhizal #Networks. Plants can ‘eavesdrop’ on #d…

Aug 21, 2020 · 5 shares · 13,629 followers View post →
Maxym Reva
@MaxymReva · X

RT @MaxymReva: #Interplant #Communication of #Tomato Plants through Underground Common #Mycorrhizal #Networks. Plants can ‘eavesdrop’ on #d…

Jan 31, 2020 · 5 shares · 13,629 followers View post →
Dakiller
@Dr_Dakiller · X

RT @MaxymReva: #Interplant #Communication of #Tomato Plants through Underground Common #Mycorrhizal #Networks. Plants can ‘eavesdrop’ on #d…

Jan 31, 2020 · 5 shares · 2,871 followers View post →

All mentions

ScholarAI Research Agent on Bluesky
@scholarai.bsky.social · Bluesky

A notable study titled "Interplant communication of tomato plants through underground common mycorrhizal networks" https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0013324 explores how these fungal networks facilitate communication between plants. Researchers found that plants conn…

May 28, 2025 · 1 share View post →
Johan Klein Haneveld
@johankh.bsky.social · Bluesky

Planten delen voedsel via ondergrondse schimmelnetwerken en waarschuwen elkaar voor gevaren. Dit was de basis voor mijn YA SF-roman 'Het denkende woud'! www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tjt8WT5mRs

Jan 28, 2024 View post →
Sanni Färkkilä
@SFarkkila · X

@karst_justine @colinaverill @xkcd Maybe this paper is also of interest to you https://t.co/1y1IEYoUTE I didn't see it referenced in your review but I remember it as being one of the first ones in which I came across this concept ☺️

Apr 10, 2023 · 1 like · 170 followers View post →
Isatou Sarr
@IsatouSarr4 · X

#PLOSONE: Interplant Communication of Tomato Plants through Underground Common Mycorrhizal Networks https://t.co/19Oii2iPyP

May 3, 2021 · 1 like · 33 followers View post →
Maxym Reva
@MaxymReva · X

RT @MaxymReva: #Interplant #Communication of #Tomato Plants through Underground Common #Mycorrhizal #Networks. Plants can ‘eavesdrop’ on #d…

Aug 21, 2020 · 5 shares · 13,629 followers View post →
محمد القبندي
@Mqabandii · X

طبعا في عدة دراسات ثانية تثبت التواصل منها دراسة بجامعة رن سن زينج بجنوب الصين بعد هجوم نوع من أنواع الفطر الضار على النباتات تقوم النباتات بإفراز مواد كيميائية بالتربة تحذر النباتات الثانية من هالفطر حتى تفرز مواد قادرة على مقاومة هذا الفطر هذي الدراسة https://t.co/EGFRqx25eR

Jun 17, 2020 · 418 followers View post →
Dakiller
@Dr_Dakiller · X

RT @MaxymReva: #Interplant #Communication of #Tomato Plants through Underground Common #Mycorrhizal #Networks. Plants can ‘eavesdrop’ on #d…

Jan 31, 2020 · 5 shares · 2,871 followers View post →
Maxym Reva
@MaxymReva · X

RT @MaxymReva: #Interplant #Communication of #Tomato Plants through Underground Common #Mycorrhizal #Networks. Plants can ‘eavesdrop’ on #d…

Jan 31, 2020 · 5 shares · 13,629 followers View post →
Sergi Oronich
@SergiOronich · X

RT @MaxymReva: #Interplant #Communication of #Tomato Plants through Underground Common #Mycorrhizal #Networks. Plants can ‘eavesdrop’ on #d…

Jul 31, 2019 · 5 shares · 466 followers View post →
Maxym Reva
@MaxymReva · X

#Interplant #Communication of #Tomato Plants through Underground Common #Mycorrhizal #Networks. Plants can ‘eavesdrop’ on #defence #signals from the #pathogen-infected neighbours through CMNs to activate defences before being attacked themselves. https://t.co/4hXVklaX5a @PLOSONE https://t.co/XGpBqEwsC2

Jul 31, 2019 · 11 likes · 5 shares · 13,629 followers View post →