Bio-Signal Plant Communciation
2025 EXPLORATORY INTERNSHIP PROJECT
Bio-signal Plant Communication Abstract
*Project Incomplete
*Draft - Development In Process
Team Members
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Nikita Kapoor
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Geero Van Mouwerik
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Dickson Lin
Introduction / Goal
This project investigates whether plants can communicate stress signals to each other, despite lacking a brain or nervous system. The goal is to determine if stressed plants release chemical or electrical cues that neighboring plants can detect, suggesting a form of inter-plant communication.
Methodology
Two plants were monitored using an ESP32 microcontroller connected to multiple sensors: SGP30 (TVOC and CO₂), AHT20 (temperature and humidity), EK1940 (soil moisture), and EEG pads with an INA333 op-amp (electrical activity). Control data was first collected under normal conditions. In the experimental phase, one plant was stressed through touch and leaf cutting while the second plant’s electrical activity was monitored. TVOC levels in the surrounding air were also measured for changes.
Results
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Soil moisture, temperature, and humidity remained constant across control and experimental trials.
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Touching or damaging one plant triggered measurable changes in its electrical activity.
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Cutting the leaves of one plant coincided with increased TVOC levels and spikes in the electrical activity of the neighboring plant.
Conclusion
The findings support the hypothesis that plants are capable of communicating stress signals chemically and electrically. An increase in VOCs released after damage, along with correlated electrical changes in neighboring plants, suggests that plants may warn each other of imminent danger. Limitations include a small sample size, wilting plants, and lack of a fully controlled environment, which may have influenced results. Further studies under controlled conditions with larger samples are recommended to validate these findings