Plants can remember stress through immune priming and epigenetic changes

Plants can "remember" stress through a process called immune priming, which allows them to defend against pests and diseases without a brain. This memory is stored through epigenetic changes in their DNA, enabling better resistance even in genetically susceptible plants. Research shows that plants can maintain this memory for long periods, and it can even be passed to future generations. However, this memory can fade without ongoing stress, and maintaining it may reduce growth. Additionally, plants can use their environment to enhance resilience. They release chemicals from their roots that attract beneficial microbes, creating a "soil legacy" that helps future plants. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to more sustainable crop protection methods.