Plants make smart decisions in complex environments

Abstract

This review proposes that plants make smart decision and encourages scientists to formulate and test hypotheses about plant's decisions as an option to investigate complex phenomena that are hardly explained through the predominant mechanistic approach. Three physiological processes (seed germination and seedling emergence, abortion of reproductive structures, and regulation of photosynthesis) are discussed to illustrate the plant's ability to make decisions from three different perspectives. It is proposed that plant scientists could access a rich pool of information by formulating and testing hypothesis on plant's decisions, even when it is not possible elucidating the full mechanism underpinning the decision. Decisions with a strategic component are discussed for seed germination and seedling emergence, in which the plant depends on limited information for making early decisions that will influence its survival and potential growth. Decisions consistent with an analysis of benefit/cost are illustrated with observations from abortion of reproductive structures. Decisions that search the optimization of complex processes are exemplified with the regulation of photosynthesis. For each type of decision, some draft experiments are suggested as exercise on how this framework could be applied. It is proposed that scientists could make experiments with plant's decisions adapting methods that were developed for other disciplines.

A critical review of risk‐sensitive foraging

“…Although Dener et al (2016) demonstrated that their plants are sensitive to nutrient variability over time and hence are risk sensitive, we do not consider them to have demonstrated optimal risk sensitivity in plants. The suggestion that pea plants make optimal decisions about risk (Karban & Orrock, 2018;Severino, 2021;Lee, Segundo-Ortin & Calvo, 2023) and hence are more rational than animals (Schmid, 2016) cannot be accepted.…”

Regulation of adaptive growth decisions via phosphorylation of the TRAPPII complex in Arabidopsis

“…As regards decision-making processes, there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that plants have the ability to learn, to process information, to communicate, to reach decisions, and in general to exhibit behavior that could be considered cognitive (reviewed in Severino, 2021). For instance, researchers have found that plants can "remember" a previous exposure to stress and respond more effectively to that same stressor in the future (Galviz et al, 2020).…”

“…Some scientists argue that the behaviors observed in plants are better explained by simpler mechanisms, such as chemical or mechanical responses, rather than true cognitive processes. To avoid such controversy, Severino (2021) makes the case for experimental approaches. A recent experimental approach for the study of decision-making processes in germinating seedlings has incorporated two tools used in decision theory: the use of a limited budget and of conflict-of interest scenarios (Kalbfuß et al, 2022).…”

“…As regards decision-making processes, there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that plants have the ability to learn, to process information, to communicate, to reach decisions, and in general to exhibit behavior that could be considered cognitive (reviewed in Severino, 2021). Severino (2021) makes the case for experimental approaches to study the decisions plant reach in complex environments.…”

“…As regards decision-making processes, there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that plants have the ability to learn, to process information, to communicate, to reach decisions, and in general to exhibit behavior that could be considered cognitive (reviewed in Severino, 2021). Severino (2021) makes the case for experimental approaches to study the decisions plant reach in complex environments. A recent experimental approach for the study of decision-making processes in germinating seedlings has incorporated two tools used in decision theory: the use of a limited budget and of conflict-of interest scenarios (Kalbfuß et al , 2022).…”