A potentially new form of plant communication has been developed by the scientist. With this language, extraordinary amount of genetic information can be shared with each other.

The relationship between a dodder, tomatoes, Arabiopsis, 2 host plants and a parasitic plant was examined by Professor Jim Westwood. For sucking the nutrients and moisture from the host plants, an appendage named haustorium is used for penetrating the plant. It was also found out that RNA is transported between 2 species during this parasitic interaction. Information which is passed down from the DNA, which is the blueprint of the organism is translated.

With his new work, this scope is expanded and the messenger RNA or the mRNA is expanded, through which messages within the cells are sent telling them what actions have to be taken and which proteins have to be coded. It was thought that the mRNA is very short lived and fragile and so it is unimaginable to transfer it between species. However, it was found by Westwood that during this parasitic relationship, there was exchange of 1000s of molecules between both plants. An open dialogue is created between the species through which they can communicate freely.

Jim Westwood, the professor of weed science, […]