Agnès' academical work - Doctoral dissertation
Exploring Plant Communication and Chemistry: Insights from Agnès Brosset’s Research
After completing my PhD at the University of Eastern Finland in June 2022, I decided to move to Sweden to grow herbs, which became Nordiska Örter—a way to combine my scientific expertise with my love for gardening and herbalism.
My research focuses on how plants communicate and respond to their surroundings. Plants use chemical signals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to respond to stress, interact with other plants and animals, and adapt to their environment. These signals act as a language, enabling plants to survive and thrive in diverse conditions.
During my PhD, I explored how these chemical signals change depending on whether plants grow in the wild or are cultivated. I studied how environmental factors, such as air pollution, exposure to pests, and interactions with insect and plant odors, influence the signals plants produce. By using a technique called chromatography, I was able to analyze the "chemical fingerprint" of each plant. This fingerprint reveals the unique mix of VOCs in a plant, helping us understand specific changes in plant physiology and chemicals and just how sensitive plants are to their environment.
One of my key findings was that wild plants often have a more complex chemical profile compared to cultivated ones. This is because wild plants face greater challenges in their natural environment, which shapes their ability to produce certain compounds. On the other hand, cultivated plants had enhance content sugar, green leaf volatile content, and less fibers. Beyond whether a plant grows in the wild or cultivated conditions, what most affects its chemical footprint is the genetic selection humans have carried out for yield improvement. Understanding these differences is crucial for growing potent, nutritional, and high-quality herbs that maintain their effectiveness.
The knowledge I gained through my research has practical applications for herbalism and sustainable agriculture. By identifying the conditions that optimize the production of beneficial compounds, I have developed methods to cultivate medicinal herbs that are both potent and environmentally friendly.
Many questions remain about how and why plants respond so specifically to their environment and communicate. I aim to explore these further, such as the effects of soil quality and soil life diversity on the chemical fingerprint and potency of herbs. My future research, in collaboration with the University of Eastern Finland, seeks to answer these questions.
If you’re interested in learning more about my work, I invite you to explore my articles and PhD thesis on ResearchGate. These resources provide a deeper dive into how plants’ chemical signals play a critical role for the health of ecosystems.