From signals to survival: exploring chemical, electrical, and acoustic communication mechanisms in plant adaptation to environmental stressors
摘要
Climate change and anthropogenic activities present escalating challenges to ecosystems, significantly affecting plant growth and survival. Although plants do not possess a nervous system, they have evolved complex signaling networks involving hormones, ions, and other molecular messengers to cope with environmental stressors.
ObjectiveThis review aims to synthesize current research on plant communication, with a specific focus on chemical, electrical, and acoustic signaling mechanisms. It explores how these signaling networks facilitate plant responses to stress and their potential applications in agronomy, particularly for improving crop resilience and management practices.
ResultsChemical signaling enables plants to communicate with other organisms by releasing compounds that trigger defensive or cooperative responses. Electrical signaling aids in resource prioritization, allowing rapid adjustments to stress or injury. Although the study of plant acoustic emissions is still emerging, recent research suggests they may serve as early indicators of plant health, providing insights into plant physiological states. However, several mechanisms remain unresolved, particularly in understanding how these signals integrate across multiple stress factors and the mechanisms underlying their coordination.
ConclusionIn this review, the role of chemical, electrical, and acoustic signaling in plant responses to stress is explored, focusing on how these pathways interact to enhance plant survival under changing environmental conditions. Future research should explore methodologies such as real-time monitoring, AI models, and omics techniques to better understand how these signaling mechanisms operate together. The integration of plant biology, biophysics, and environmental science is crucial for advancing our understanding of plant-environment interactions in the face of climate change.