Plants Recognise Their Siblings

Plants have complex social relationships and can recognise their brothers and sisters, according to new research by Canadian scientists.
When planted in the same pot, plants from the same "mother" recognise each other and reduce competition for water and minerals by limiting root growth.

But when sharing a pot with strangers of the same species, they become competitive and grow more roots to suck up the nutrients faster, the researchers found.

Scientists are yet to fully understand how the plants actually recognise each other, but have proven the ability of plants to distinguish relatives and show preference towards them.

"The ability to recognise and favour kin is common in animals, but this is the first time it has been shown in plants," said Professor Susan Dudley, Associate Professor of Biology at McMaster University, Canada.