The best way to grow chilli.

So far we have been looking at communication for the purpose of protection. We have explored how plants communicate through chemicals, contact, light and sound. Recently, a study has potentially identified a conversation between basil (Ocimum basilicum) and chilli plants (Capsicum annuum). This study will confirm what many gardeners have been witnessing since the dawn of agricultural practice. That is, chilli does best with basil. The study found that when blocking communication lines such as light, contact and sound, chilli germination rates were high. More seedlings grew than without the presence of basil. If growing with fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), germination rates are lower than usual. The mechanism for communication in this case is unknown. However, researchers are suggesting a possible acoustic signal generation via nanomechanical oscillations from inside the cell. (Gagliano & Renton 2013). This finding is a small step into gathering support for the acoustic communication hypothesis. However, understanding this modality could have great impact on the management of conservation as well as agriculture.

Figure1. Chilli and basil growing together in a pot. Photographer: Rosie. Marie.2007


References:

Gagliano, M.,Renton, M.2013. Love thy neighbour; facilitation through the alternative signalling modality in plants. BMC Ecology.13:19

Who is responsible for what? Function of jasmonates and Green leaf volatiles in plant development and stress response.

Below are a few brief descriptions of the compounds that are responsible for some of the signals we have been looking at in plant communication.

Unsaturated fatty acids oxidation products are known as oxylipins. Oxylipins are compounds are a diverse group of substances involved in different stress response in plants. (Andersson et.al. 2006)

In plants, oxylipins can form enzymatically mainly. Non -enzymatic autoxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids can also contribute to oxylipin formation in plants. (Kolomlets et al. 2013)

In response to stress, these substances can exert protective signaling molecules in plants during wounding, development and insect or pathogen attack. They can even direct anti-microbial substance that is toxic to the invader. (Farag and Pare, 2002).

The function of the majority of oxiplipins in plants is unknown. Jasmonates such as jasmonic acids, methyl jasmonate, cisjasmone and jasmonoyl isoleucine are well studied.
Green leaf volatiles are also well studied. They include C6 aldehydes, alcohols and thier esters which are formed through hydroperoxide lyase pathways downstream of lipoxygenases.
Their role is thought to be defense response against herivory.Green leaf volatiles have the ability to trigger local and systemic volatile organic compound emissions. (Kolomlets et al. 2013).


Figure 1. JA- deficient corn.
Andersson, M.X., Hamberg, M., Kourtchenko, O., Brunnstom, A. McPhail, K.L, Gerwick, W.H, Gobel, C., Feussner, I., Ellerstrom, M.2006.l Oxylipin profiling of hypersensitive response in Arabidopsis thaliana. Formatio of a novel oxo-phytodienoic acid containing galactolipid, arabidospide E. J Biol Chem, 281:31528-31537.

Farag, M.A., Pare, P.W.2002. C-6 Green leaf volatiles trigger local and systemic VOC emissions in toato.Phytochemistry 61, 545-554.

Kolomiets, M.W., Borrego, E., Yuanxin, Y.2013. Jasmonate Biosynthesis, Perception and Funciton in Plant Development and Stress Responses. Lipid Metabolism. http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/52675.