Have you ever wondered why sunflowers always seem to turn towards the sun? Scientists have recently discovered the mechanism behind this behavior, and the results could have implications for agriculture and robotics.

A team of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, have discovered that sunflowers use a combination of two different mechanisms to track the sun’s movement. The first is a process known as heliotropism, which is the movement of a plant stem or petal in response to the sun’s rays. The second is a process called skototropism, which is the movement of a plant in response to shadows.

Together, these two mechanisms help sunflowers turn their blooms towards the sun. This behavior is important for the plants, as it helps them maximize their exposure to sunlight, which helps them grow and produce seeds. Additionally, the findings could have implications for agricultural practices, as they could help farmers better understand how to optimize the amount of sunlight their crops receive. The research could also be used to help develop robotic systems capable of tracking sunlight.

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source: Phys.org