Plant root injuries trigger long-distance pressure waves

When plant roots sustain injuries, such as those caused by insects, the internal pressure within the root drops, triggering a pressure wave that spreads rapidly throughout the entire root system. This physical change is detected by tiny proteins in neighboring roots that function as mechanical pressure sensors.

Upon detecting the pressure change, these sensors generate electrical and calcium signals that propagate through the plant. This mechanism allows the root network to respond to localized damage through long-distance signaling.