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Shade tolerance: when growing tall is not an option
Charlotte M M Gommers1, Eric J W Visser, Kate R St Onge
1Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Trends in Plant Science
|October 23, 2012
Summary
Plants use shade avoidance or shade tolerance strategies to adapt to low light. This article explores the molecular regulation of shade tolerance, offering insights for crop improvement.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Photosynthesis
- Molecular genetics
Background:
- Plants exhibit two main strategies for shade: avoidance and tolerance.
- Shade avoidance involves growth responses to escape low light, common in open habitats.
- Shade tolerance is observed in forest understory species unable to outgrow shade.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss potential molecular regulation mechanisms for shade tolerance.
- To highlight the lack of knowledge regarding shade tolerance regulation compared to shade avoidance.
- To propose molecular approaches for understanding shade tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and theoretical discussion.
- Analysis of plant responses to light quality and quantity.
- Comparative study of shade-avoidance and shade-tolerance strategies.
Main Results:
- Shade avoidance syndrome is a well-documented growth response.
- Regulation of shade tolerance remains largely uncharacterized.
- Molecular pathways underlying shade tolerance are yet to be identified.
Conclusions:
- Molecular approaches are crucial for elucidating shade tolerance mechanisms.
- Understanding shade tolerance can inform strategies for crop improvement.
- Further research using model and non-model species is recommended.
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