The fast touch-induced folding of leaves in sensitive plants may function for deterring herbivores, but it relies on energetically costly action potentials and interferes with photosynthesis. Here, we tested whether the intensity of the folding response in Mimosa pudica was modulated based on previous experiences, and whether the modulation was dependent on the probability of exposure to herbivores or pollinators. Younger leaves (under higher herbivory risk) reopened faster with repetitions but showed complete folding at all trials, which should be more effective as defense, but limits light exposure for longer; older leaves changed from complete to partial folding with trials, but maintained similar reopening times, which should decrease loses in photosynthesis but is less effective as defense. Unlike leaves away from inflorescences, leaves near inflorescences (i.e. more likely to be touched by flower visitors, a non-damaging stimulus) marginally decreased reopening times and shifted from complete to partial folding, a combination that decreases to the least the time leaves are light limited. All leaves showed an increased response when a new stimulus was presented after the repeated trials, suggesting that the decrease in response after repeated stimulation was not caused by mechanism exhaustion. This study shows habituation-like plasticity in a plant thigmonastic response that conforms to expectations of behavioral ecology theory usually applied to animals.
Peach texture during storage is affected by temperature, humidity, and oxygen level. Four cultivars, 'Sentinel', 'Topaz', 'Parade ' , and (Fairtime', were stored at OC for 28 days after which time texture tests were done for the next four d q s during the peach's ripening at 25C. A cylindrical peach specimen was penetrated with a wire probe installed in an Instron universal testing machine. From the force-displacement response, firmness parameters were determined and a fast Fourier transform frequency analysis was performed to determine the jaggedness of the curves. Effegifirrnness, Instron peak force, and spectrum area changed the most during ripening. The lowest@equency ratio (0 to 0.19 Hz) changed more than any other fiequency ratio during ripening. Significant decreases in Effegi firmness and in Instron peak force, steady state force, andfrequency ratios were observed between the first and the second day of ripening but the changes were not signlfiCant thereafter. Afer one day of ripening, late season cultivars [Fairtime' and 'Parade' were significantly less firm than 'Topaz ' . Most parameters indicated that 'Sentinel' an early season cultivar, was firm like 'Topaz ' , a mid-season cultivar. After two days, differences in firmness parameters among the four cultivars were not signrficant.
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