While rain is essential for the survival of plants, it also contains bacteria and other pathogens which can cause them harm. So how do plants protect themselves from this threat?

A recent study by Nagoya University researchers and colleagues revealed that when plants are exposed to rain, hair-like structures on the leaf surface called trichomes recognize this rain as a risk factor for causing disease and activate their immune system to prevent infections. These findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, could contribute to the development of methods to protect plants from infectious diseases caused by rain.