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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2022 May 1.
Published in final edited form as: Trends Ecol Evol. 2021 Jan 16:S0169-5347(20)30372-4. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.12.009

Table 1.

Overview of different plant states or stimuli that plants respond to, which may correlate with dynamics in future stress conditions.

Plant state or stimulus Example Reference
a. Plant intrinsic state
Intra-generational
Architecture Apical stem bending alters susceptibility to aphids and gall-forming herbivores in late goldenrod (Solidago altissima) [30]
Biomass Leaf biomass determines leaf-chewing insect abundance across tropical forest host species [70]
Chemical composition Insect community structure covaries with host plant chemistry in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) [71]
Ontogenetic state Floral volatiles attract specialist herbivores in the Cucurbita genus [72]
Transgenerational
Seed composition Parental stress directly affects the metabolome of seeds in thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) [73]
Seed germination Regulation of seed dormancy following maternal herbivory in Arabidopsis thaliana [74]
Trait plasticity Abiotic stress enhances competitive ability of progeny in lady’s thumb (Polygonum persicaria) [75]
b. External cues or stressors
Abiotic
Photoperiod Light quality affects flavonoid production in wheel wingnut (Cyclocarya paliurus) [76]
Altered photoperiod induces stress in Arabidopsis thaliana [77]
Temperature Heat stress alters shock - factor - responsive gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana [78]
Rapid and gradual decreases in temperature trigger different pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana [79]
Fire induced heat alleviates dormancy across grassland species in South-Eastern Australia [80]
Salinity Salinity reduces the capacity of the photosynthetic system in cabbage (Brassica oleracea) [81]
Touch Rapid leaflet-closure responses to mechanical stimulation in Mimosa pudica [38]
Obstacle avoidance by self-inhibition in pea (Pisum sativum) [82]
Vibrations Sound vibrations increase expression of genes related to mechanical stimulation in Arabidopsis thaliana [83]
Wind Air flow increases height, while stem flexure reduces height in common sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) [84]
Gravitropism Gravity reception is used to regulate organ straightening and plant posture in Arabidopsis thaliana [85]
Humidity gradients Hydrotropism is regulated by auxin and abscisic acid in Arabidopsis thaliana [86]
Abiotic
Chemicals in atmosphere Ozone modifies plant responses to biotic stresses in charlock mustard (Sinapis arvensis) [87]
Smoke and ash induce germination across functional groups in Northern European heathlands [88]
Chemicals in soil Root tip contact with low-phosphate media reprograms plant root architecture in Arabidopsis thaliana [89]
Biotic
Mycelia Common mycelial networks warn neighbouring plants of aphid attack in faba bean (Vicia faba) [90]
Bioacoustics Flowers respond to pollinator sound by increasing nectar sugar concentration in the evening primrose (Oenothera drummondii) [91]
Volatiles Volatiles from damaged neighbours increase resistance against herbivores across plant species [92]
The parasitic plant fiveangled dodder (Cuscuta pentagona) exhibits directed growth toward volatiles of the potential plant host [93]
Non-volatile exudates Root-secreted JA is involved in neighbour detection and plant-plant communication in common wheat (Triticum aestivum) [94]
Herbivore damage Specific tobacco hawk moth (Manduca sexta) elicitor shows highly specialised herbivore-detection system in solanaceous plants [95]
Vibrations Vibrations caused by insect feeding elicit chemical defences in Arabidopsis thaliana [96]
Herbivore oviposition Oviposition by Leptinotarsa decemlineata beetles causes hypersensitivity and egg drop in Solanum spp. [97]
Leaf contact cues associated with oviposition by the large cabbage white (Pieris brassicae) arrest parasitoids in black mustard (Brassica nigra) [98]
Herbivore excretion Proteins from fall army worm (Spodoptera frugiperda) frass induces wound-responsive defense genes in maize (Zea mays) [99]
Exogenous honeydew deposition by pea aphids Acyrthosiphon pisum alters JA and SA accumulation in Vicia faba [100]
Antagonist interactions Barley yellow dwarf virus alters likelihood of herbivory by bird cherry-oat aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi) in Triticum aestivum [101]
Herbivore damage increases attraction of generalist herbivores in creeping cucumber (Solena amplexicaulis) [102]
Induced plant responses attract oviposition by the specialist small cabbage whites (Pieris rapae) in radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) [103]
Order of herbivore arrival influences subsequent community development in Brassica oleracea [13]
Infection with Pseudomonas spp. bacteria in leaves predicts prevalence and damage by Scaptomyza flava [48]