Systemic stomatal responses in plants: Coordinating development, stress, and pathogen defense under a changing climate.

Abstract

To successfully survive, develop, growand reproduce, multicellular organisms must coordinate their molecular, physiological, developmentaland metabolic responses among their different cells and tissues. This process is mediated by cell-to-cell, vascularand/or volatile communication, and involves electric, chemicaland/or hydraulic signals. Within this context, stomata serve a dual role by coordinating their responses to the environment with their neighbouring cells at the epidermis, but also with other stomata present on other parts of the plant. As stomata represent one of the most important conduits between the plant and its above-ground environment, as well as directly affect photosynthesis, respirationand the hydraulic status of the plant by controlling its gas and vapour exchange with the atmosphere, coordinating the overall response of stomata within and between different leaves and tissues plays a cardinal role in plant growth, developmentand reproduction. Here, we discuss different examples of local and systemic stomatal coordination, the different signalling pathways that mediate them,and the importance of systemic stomatal coordination to our food supply, ecosystemsand weather patterns, under our changing climate. We further discuss the potential biotechnological implications of regulating systemic stomatal responses for enhancing agricultural productivity in a warmer and CO2 -richenvironment.