A new study has reported a very different feature of a parasitic plant. Researchers found that the species of strangleweed plant share genetic information with the host plant. They share the information in the form of messenger molecules (mRNA).

Co-author of the study, James Westwood, a plant physiologist at Virginia Tech, said it was quite surprising to know that the plant was sharing the genetic information with the plants they attack. Researchers assumed a possibility that the RNA shuffling is the reason behind communication between the two plants. And, if these codes can be known then there is a chance to protect crops.

Westwood affirmed that this aspect of strangleweed plant was unexpected, as if one considers a parasitic plant then transfer of genetic material into the host is not expected. Main feature of a parasitic plant is to suck nutrients from the host.

Researchers said transfer of RNA molecules suggests that the parasite plant is sending not-so positive messages to the host plant. There are chances that the foreign RNA may be instructing the host plant to weaken itself towards the parasite. It could also be possible that RNA may be getting transferred for some other reasons.

If the hypothesis proves right, the researchers can try and come up with a defense for the host plant. Westwood also found that there was exchange of 1000s of molecules between both plants. The research team compared to situation to an open dialogue for an easy communication between both the plants.

"The discovery of this novel form of inter-organism communication shows that this is happening a lot more than any one has previously realized", said Westwood. It has been confirmed that RNA is passed on, but now it has to be known what actually they are communicating. After knowing the same, defense mechanism can be prepared, affirmed Westwood.