5 Surprising Ways Plants Taste Their World (Plus 22 Species That Do It Best)

9. Maize (Zea mays)

Maize is a master at “tasting” the soil for nutrients, particularly nitrogen.
Its roots sense nutrient gradients, guiding them to grow toward the richest patches available.
This smart adaptation helps maize maximize resource uptake and supports robust crop yields, especially in challenging environments. Details here