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To protect themselves from drought or flooding, certain types of plants naturally secrete an acid comparable to aspirin. A surprising process that could pave the way for ways to protect other types of plants from the effects of climate change.
Acetylsalicylic acid to protect against water stress. It is the substance (comparable to aspirin) that certain plants are able to create, as demonstrated by a study published in Science Advances. To reach these conclusions, American researchers from the University of California at Riverside (UCR) studied a plant model known as “d’Arabette des dames”often associated with weeds.
The team of scientists discovered that in the event of prolonged and intense episodes of drought, the plant studied activates a molecule known as MEcPP. The accumulation of this molecule in the cells of the plant promotes the production of salicylic acid, which will therefore spread and deploy its protective actions. “It’s as if plants use an analgesic for aches and pains, just like us”explains in a press release Wilhelmina van de Ven, plant biologist at the UCR and co-author of the study.
“As salicylic acid helps plants resist the stresses that are becoming more prevalent with climate change, being able to increase the ability of plants to produce it represents a step forward in addressing the impacts of climate change on the everyday life”adds Katayoon Dehesh, co-author of the research and professor of molecular biochemistry at UCR.
The researchers hope to discover more about the mechanism of stress reactions in this type of plant and to be able to apply it to other plants, in particular those cultivated for our food. “These effects are not limited to our food. Plants purify our air by sequestering carbon dioxide, provide us with shade and provide habitat for many animals. The benefits of increased survival are exponential”however, specifies the Pre Dehesh.