Plants Predict Infections Using a Molecular Clock

New research conducted at the University of Warwick shows that plants can predict when infections are more likely to occur, and regulate their immune response accordingly. Previous research had shown that resistance against bacterial pathogens varied at different times of the day. The new research, however, has for the first time shown that the same is true for resistance against a fungal pathogen. The new research is also the first to identify a mechanism of how the internal plant clock is driving the difference in plant immunity at dawn and night.

According to lead researcher Dr. Katherine Denby, plants are more resistant to infection at dawn, when they anticipate infection. The difference in plant resistance to infection at different times of the day is driven by its circadian clock rather than the daily light/dark changes.

Read more at Warwick News and Events.