Zigzag tango

Gardeners know that plants take full advantage of their growing conditions. Antonio Hall, a crop ecophysiologist at Argentina’s University of Buenos Aires, has noticed sunflowers growing densely in a field adopt a zigzag pattern.

This means neighbouring sunflowers lean in opposite directions to get as much light as possible. The grab for light begins early, as the pioneer plant leans about 10 degrees from vertical to escape a neighbour’s shade. The next plant mimics this, creating the pattern.

The ‘light leaners’ yield was 25–50 per cent more than those genetically predisposed to remain upright. Plant breeders may find ways to use this trait to boost future crop yields.