Aberystwyth, Wales, United Kingdom
March 12, 2025
A new study by researchers at IBERS (Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences), Aberystwyth University, has shed light on how mechanical forces such as wind, rain, and touch influence plant growth and resilience. The review, published in BMC Biology, explores the process of thigmomorphogenesis—the way plants respond to mechanical stimulation—particularly in cereal crops.
How Do Plants React to Mechanical Stress?
While plants are often thought of as passive organisms, they actively sense and respond to their environment. Mechanical stimulation can alter plant growth, triggering molecular and physiological responses that lead to shorter, sturdier stems and improved resilience to environmental challenges such as strong winds and heavy rain.
"Plants are constantly interacting with their surroundings," said Dr. Maurice Bosch, one of the study’s lead authors. "Understanding how they respond to mechanical forces is key to developing stronger, more resilient crops, especially in the face of climate change."
Implications for Sustainable Agriculture
With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, improving crop resilience is critical for global food security. The study highlights how mechanical stimulation can be harnessed to:
- Strengthen plant structures by increasing stem thickness and reducing height, making crops less susceptible to lodging.
- Activate molecular pathways that enhance stress tolerance.
- Reduce reliance on chemical inputs, potentially leading to more sustainable farming practices.
Could Mechanical Stimulation Be the Future of Farming?
Techniques such as controlled mechanical stimulation, already used in horticulture, could be adapted for large-scale crop production. Traditional farming methods such as the Japanese practice of "mugifumi" (treading on seedlings to strengthen them) and integrated farming approaches like rice and duck co-cultivation demonstrate the potential benefits of mechanical stress in agriculture.
"We are only beginning to understand how we can use mechanical stimulation to improve crop resilience and sustainability," added Dr. Bosch. "Future research could explore how these principles can be applied at scale to benefit global food production."
Read the Full Study
The full review, "Mechanical Stimulation in Plants: Molecular Insights, Morphological Adaptations, and Agricultural Applications in Monocots", is available in BMC Biology. You can access the paper here: [https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-025-02157-3]
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