Can mushrooms talk to each other? According to researchers, the answer is yes.

Researchers from Japan are investigating the possibility of electrical signal transmission between fungi and trees via mycelial networks. Mycelial networks are important to fungi as they facilitate the spread of spores and colonization of new substrates as well as allowing them to absorb nutrients and water more efficiently.

Mycelial networks, which have a key role in maintaining the health of ecosystems, to give permission nutrient exchange and communication between different plant, animal and microorganism species.

Ectomcorrhizal fungi are a type of fungus that forms a fungus. symbiotic relationship with the roots of some plants, especially trees. This symbiotic relationship is known as mycorrhiza and is a reciprocal association between fungus and plant in which both benefit.

The tests were carried out on a type of ectomycorrhizal fungus known as Laccaria bicolor, which are small fungi that grow on the forest floor and are published in the journal. Mushroom Ecology. The scientists attached electrodes to six mushrooms in a cluster and measured the electrical signals they passed between them.

they managed to notice signals fluctuated over time and appeared to correlate with changes in temperature and humidity. After a period of rain, the signals among the closer fungi increased significantly.

“Originally the fungi exhibited less electrical potential, and we reduced that to a lack of precipitation,” said Yu Fukasawa, the study’s principal investigator. “However, the electrical potential began to fluctuate after the rain, sometimes exceeding 100 mV.”

“Our results confirm the need for further research into the electric potentials of fungi in a real ecological context,” he adds.