Electrome &amp; Cognition Modes in Plants: A Transdisciplinary Approach to the Eco-Sensitiveness of the World

Debono, Marc-Williams

doi:10.22545/2020/00143

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…C. racemosa and many other plants have predominantly low frequency ranges related to energy expenditure that might increase during operational choice and attention facing external cues [ 9 ]. This phenomenon is remarkable and may have similarities with information processing at the neural scale [ 24 , 25 , 45 , 73 , 74 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Electrome of a Parasitic Plant in a Putative State of Attention Increases the Energy of Low Band Frequency Waves: A Comparative Study with Neural Systems

Parise

Oliveira

Debono³

et al. 2023

Plants

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Selective attention is an important cognitive phenomenon that allows organisms to flexibly engage with certain environmental cues or activities while ignoring others, permitting optimal behaviour. It has been proposed that selective attention can be present in many different animal species and, more recently, in plants. The phenomenon of attention in plants would be reflected in its electrophysiological activity, possibly being observable through electrophytographic (EPG) techniques. Former EPG time series obtained from the parasitic plant Cuscuta racemosa in a putative state of attention towards two different potential hosts, the suitable bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and the unsuitable wheat (Triticum aestivum), were revisited. Here, we investigated the potential existence of different band frequencies (including low, delta, theta, mu, alpha, beta, and gamma waves) using a protocol adapted from neuroscientific research. Average band power (ABP) was used to analyse the energy distribution of each band frequency in the EPG signals, and time dispersion analysis of features (TDAF) was used to explore the variations in the energy of each band. Our findings indicated that most band waves were centred in the lower frequencies. We also observed that C. racemosa invested more energy in these low-frequency waves when suitable hosts were present. However, we also noted peaks of energy investment in all the band frequencies, which may be linked to extremely low oscillatory electrical signals in the entire tissue. Overall, the presence of suitable hosts induced a higher energy power, which supports the hypothesis of attention in plants. We further discuss and compare our results with generic neural systems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Electrome of a Parasitic Plant in a Putative State of Attention Increases the Energy of Low Band Frequency Waves: A Comparative Study with Neural Systems

Parise

Oliveira

Debono³

et al. 2023

Plants

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“…However, quite often, mixed electrical potential waves are recorded, for instance, as a result of overlapping APs and VPs (among other voltage variations), creating a complex bioelectrical information network in which several electrical signals may be superposed [ 4 ]. As a result, the term “electrome” was coined to designate the totality of ionic currents of any living entity, evoked naturally or spontaneously, recorded by non-polarized Ag/AgCl electrodes [ 11 ], and more recently, the term “plant electrome” was employed to refer to the emergent complexity of bioelectrical activity in plants [ 12 , 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent studies analyzing plant electrome [ 1 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ] revealed its potential as a tool for early stress diagnosis in plants since the electrome exhibits specific patterns of responses that function as a classifiable electrical signature by standard time series analysis and machine learning techniques [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systemic Signals Induced by Single and Combined Abiotic Stimuli in Common Bean Plants

Costa

Oliveira

Posso

et al. 2023

Plants

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To survive in a dynamic environment growing fixed to the ground, plants have developed mechanisms for monitoring and perceiving the environment. When a stimulus is perceived, a series of signals are induced and can propagate away from the stimulated site. Three distinct types of systemic signaling exist, i.e., (i) electrical, (ii) hydraulic, and (iii) chemical, which differ not only in their nature but also in their propagation speed. Naturally, plants suffer influences from two or more stimuli (biotic and/or abiotic). Stimuli combination can promote the activation of new signaling mechanisms that are explicitly activated, as well as the emergence of a new response. This study evaluated the behavior of electrical (electrome) and hydraulic signals after applying simple and combined stimuli in common bean plants. We used simple and mixed stimuli applications to identify biochemical responses and extract information from the electrical and hydraulic patterns. Time series analysis, comparing the conditions before and after the stimuli and the oxidative responses at local and systemic levels, detected changes in electrome and hydraulic signal profiles. Changes in electrome are different between types of stimulation, including their combination, and systemic changes in hydraulic and oxidative dynamics accompany these electrical signals.

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Consciousness and cognition in plants

Segundo-Ortin

Calvo

2021

WIRES Cognitive Science

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Unlike animal behavior, behavior in plants is traditionally assumed to be completely determined either genetically or environmentally. Under this assumption, plants are usually considered to be noncognitive organisms. This view nonetheless clashes with a growing body of empirical research that shows that many sophisticated cognitive capabilities traditionally assumed to be exclusive to animals are exhibited by plants too. Yet, if plants can be considered cognitive, even in a minimal sense, can they also be considered conscious? Some authors defend that the quest for plant consciousness is worth pursuing, under the premise that sentience can play a role in facilitating plant's sophisticated behavior. The goal of this article is not to provide a positive argument for plant cognition and consciousness, but to invite a constructive, empirically informed debate about it. After reviewing the empirical literature concerning plant cognition, we introduce the reader to the emerging field of plant neurobiology. Research on plant electrical and chemical signaling can help shed light into the biological bases for plant sentience. To conclude, we shall present a series of approaches to scientifically investigate plant consciousness. In sum, we invite the reader to consider the idea that if consciousness boils down to some form of biological adaptation, we should not exclude a priori the possibility that plants have evolved their own phenomenal experience of the world.

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Electrome & Cognition Modes in Plants: A Transdisciplinary Approach to the Eco-Sensitiveness of the World

Cited by 5 publications

References 61 publications

The Electrome of a Parasitic Plant in a Putative State of Attention Increases the Energy of Low Band Frequency Waves: A Comparative Study with Neural Systems

The Electrome of a Parasitic Plant in a Putative State of Attention Increases the Energy of Low Band Frequency Waves: A Comparative Study with Neural Systems

Systemic Signals Induced by Single and Combined Abiotic Stimuli in Common Bean Plants

Consciousness and cognition in plants

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