Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered that light exposure increases adhesion between the outer skin and inner tissues of young pea stems through accumulation of p-coumaric acid. This reinforcement bolsters plant structure but restricts expansion and growth. The findings, published in Physiologia Plantarum, suggest potential applications for improving crop resilience.
A team led by Professor Kouichi Soga at Osaka Metropolitan University examined young pea stems to understand light's role in plant development. They used a specialized technique to measure the bond between the epidermal layer and inner tissues. Plants grown in light showed significantly stronger adhesion compared to those in darkness. Professor Soga noted, 'Compared with plants grown in the dark, the epidermal and inner tissues of plants grown in the light are more tightly bound together. This phenomenon has never been reported before.'
