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Whole-Plant Physiology: Synergistic Emergence Rather Than Modularity

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Progress in Botany

Part of the book series: Progress in Botany ((BOTANY,volume 74))

Abstract

Work on “whole-plant physiology” which culminated in the 1970s and 1980s is reviewed. With its major issues, such as root–shoot interaction in nitrogen and sulfur assimilation, phloem–xylem transfers and circulation of matter in the whole plant, and hydraulic signaling of water relations, this older work shows integration in plants as unitary organisms. It has essential messages for progress with a holistic view on “systems biology”. The huge amounts of data of molecular cell biology of plants (“omics”) are often considered as modules. The discussion of signaling, such as electric, hydraulic, and chemical signaling, helps to advance to an understanding of integration and of emergence in contrast to modularity. Source–sink relations and root–shoot interactions in the performance of the whole plant in its environment are elaborated as examples for emergence from the coordination of parts. Timely systems biology must develop a whole-plant view by following systemic interactions comprehending all relevant spatio-temporal scales.

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Acknowledgement

I very much thank two anonymous reviewers. Their assessments of the essay are now reflected in the wording of the Introduction and Conclusions. Circumstances do not allow quoting them, and this can only be done anonymously here.

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  1. Department of Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstrasse 3-5, D-64 287, Darmstadt, Germany

    Ulrich Lüttge

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  1. Inst. Botanik, TU Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, Darmstadt, 64287, Germany

    Ulrich Lüttge

  2. Faculty of Biologie, Experimental Ecology and, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany

    Wolfram Beyschlag

  3. , School of Biological Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3TL, United Kingdom

    Dennis Francis

  4. , MS330/Department of Biochemistry, University of Nevada, Virginia Street 1664 N., Reno, 89557-0330, Nevada, USA

    John Cushman

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Lüttge, U. (2013). Whole-Plant Physiology: Synergistic Emergence Rather Than Modularity. In: Lüttge, U., Beyschlag, W., Francis, D., Cushman, J. (eds) Progress in Botany. Progress in Botany, vol 74. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-30967-0_6

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