Yes, the plants have an immune system and we could damage it

Here at mbg, we are all about plants (eating herbal, indoor plants, home gardens and herbal skin care, we could go on!). While they are aesthetically pleasing, the plants also provide oxygen, which helps to boost immunity, improve mood, speed recovery, and boost productivity. We can not really live without them, and that's why it's so important to take care of them as they do for us.

Researchers based in Belgium and Switzerland have discovered that a group of enzymes called metacaspases is needed to activate the immune response of plants (yes, they have an immune system!) And that plant selection strategies and the use of typical pesticides could hinder this natural response.

Like humans, when plants are injured, their cells trigger an immune response that protects them from infection and initiates the healing process. In this study, they used a laser to damage plant roots and discovered a new healing process involving calcium, metacaspases and a peptide precursor protein called PROPEP1.

"The damage causes high levels of calcium inside the cells that activate the metacaspases.These metacaspases will work on PROPEP1, which regulates the immune response and associated damage-limitation efforts," explained the postdoctoral principal investigator. Simon Stael in a statement. To confirm their discovery, they tested plants that did not have metacaspases and found that they were unable to activate the immune response.

So what's the problem? Well, the usual practices of plant breeding or pesticide use could inadvertently inhibit the plant's immune system, which would slow down recovery. Plant breeding is the technique of combining seeds to create the highest quality nutritious products with the best chance of growth, but without knowing these enzymes, farmers could limit the resilience of their plants by damaging their immune system.

With information on metacaspases and the immune process, farmers may be able to adapt their selection strategies to improve the immune system of plants.

Support the immune system of our plants so that they can continue to do the same for us!