New research reveals plants actively redirect sugars to injured tissues, accelerating recovery. This discovery could transform how we grow resilient crops in a changing climate.

Plants increase glucose concentration at injury sites by up to 30% within hours

The process relies on rapid vascular system adjustments, not just passive diffusion

Researchers used fluorescent sensors to track real-time sugar movement in living plants

This mechanism may explain why some plants regrow after severe damage while others die

Wounded leaves received 12% more photosynthetic products than undamaged ones, measured via carbon isotope tracing.

Plants Reroute Sugar to Heal Wounds—Here’s How It Works