Researchers at the University of Helsinki have discovered how plants repair their protective outer layer, known as the periderm, through a mechanism triggered by gas diffusion. The study, published in Nature, reveals that the escape of ethylene gas and the influx of oxygen through a wound serve as signals that activate regeneration of this barrier tissue, which protects plants from water loss and pathogens.
Using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the team led by Professor Ari Pekka Mähönen found that intact periderm layers are nearly gas-impermeable, causing ethylene to accumulate and oxygen levels to drop in healthy tissues. When damaged, however, ethylene escapes and oxygen enters the wound site, alerting the plant to begin periderm repair. Once healing is complete, gas diffusion stops, and normal growth resumes.
Lead scientist Dr. Hiroyuki Iida described the process as “a beautifully simple, yet effective strategy plants use to monitor damage,” developed in collaboration with Professor Francesco Licausi from the University of Oxford.
The findings have major implications for agriculture, particularly for improving the resilience of crops such as potatoes, carrots, and fruits. Enhanced understanding of periderm healing could help reduce post-harvest food waste, extend the shelf life of produce, and boost crop survival under environmental stress.
“Improving the healing capacity of barrier tissues could be a game-changer for food storage and plant resilience,” said Mähönen.
Source: University of Helsinki
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