Plant roots: autopoietic and cognitive constructions

Abstract

Many facets reflecting the autopoietic process of Life and Living can be found in plant roots at many levels relevant to their organisation, from cells to ecosystems. At each level, there are sub-processes dedicated to both the autoreproduction and the self-maintenance of that level, these processes being contained within a boundary appropriate for that level. Autoreproduction and self-maintenance unite with a third sub-process, cognition, and provide the basis of a coherent multi-levelled programme of root-research.

Root Apex Transition Zone As Oscillatory Zone

“…But this position, which is based on ancient Aristotelian worldviews, depriving plants of cognition-relevant sensitivities and activities are not tenable anymore (Brenner et al, 2006, 2007;Trewavas, 2007, Trewavas, 2009; Barlow, 2008; Baluška, 2009; Calvo and Keijzer, 2010; Karpiński, 2010; and Szechyńska-Hebda, 2010;; Trewavas and Baluška, 2011; Marder, 2012, 2013; Debono, 2013). Especially root behavior shows cognitive features which are not possible to explain with currently dominated views of passive, automata-like organisms (Baluška et al, 2010b; Barlow, 2010a, b; Gagliano et al, 2012). …”

The botanical multiverse of Peter Barlow

“…And Peter was amongst the first in the 21st century who sought to promote this more enlightened view of plant biology, that plants were imbued with more sophisticated problem-solving capabilities than they had previoulsy been credited with. This notion eventually led to the establishment of the discipline of plant neurobiology [144][145][146][147][148][149][150][151] and Peter was invited to make presentations at the 1st International Symposium on Plant Neurobiology in 2005, the 3rd in 2007 and 5th in 2009.…”

“…But Peter was also keen to try and broaden awareness of, and encourage discussion about, matters such as cognition and intelligence in the context of plants, especially roots. That aspiration is cited as one of the reasons behind his paper that regarded roots as autopoietic and cognitive constructions [150].…”

Microorganism and filamentous fungi drive evolution of plant synapses

“…The heterogeneous and patchy nature of soils, when nutritionally rich patches are located close to nutritionally poor and dry (or even toxic) soil portions, presents a difficult challenge for roots (Shemesh et al, 2010) in their major task of finding and acquiring enough nutrition so as to feed the whole plant. Plants overcome some of these challenges by improving their capacity to locate and obtain foods through sensory experience (Trewavas, 2005, 2009; Baluška et al, 2009; Barlow, 2010a,b). In addition, plants grow in dense populations, often resulting in fierce underground competition among roots from neighboring competing plants (Novoplansky, 2009).…”