Analysis of Electrome as a Tool for Plant Monitoring: Progress and Perspectives

Abstract

In recent years, the electromic approach, which is based on the 'electrome' concept, to the analysis of electrical activity in plants has become increasingly relevant, as it can allow the detection of early signs of stress and the classification of external factors on the basis of complex, systemic changes in electrical parameters. However, the mechanisms underlying the observed complex effects remain unresolved. This review describes the main electrical signals in plants and their influence on physiological processes and tolerance to abiotic stressors, discusses limitations of traditional methods of investigation of electrical activity, summarizes modern strategies for electrome analysis, and considers the prospect of applying mathematical modeling to interpret the electromic data. We suggest that the integration of the electromic approach and mathematical modeling can greatly enhance the ability to investigate plant electrical signaling, opening new ways for fundamental and applied research in plant electrophysiology.

Keywords: electrome; mathematical modeling; plant electrical signals; plant electrophysiology; plant stress.

Figure 1

Dynamics of the number of publications devoted to investigation of plant electrical phenomena which are present in Dimensions database. Keyword “Plant electrical signals” was used for the search.

Figure 2

A proposed scheme for the function of the plant electrome as a totality of electrical phenomena in plants. The plant electrome, which can show signs of the presence of a self-organized critical state, may act as an important mediator of plant response to stimuli (external and internal) and the maintenance of homeostasis, being in balance between reactivity and sensitivity.

Figure 3

Proposed scheme for improving traditional and electromic approaches in plant electrophysiology. The traditional approach to plant electrical activity analysis can be resembled to a ‘white box’ model, where known mechanisms underlie specific electrical events, including local electrical signals (ESs), action potential (AP), variation potential (VP), system potential (SP), oscillations, and others. On the other hand, the electromic approach can be conceptualized as a ‘black box’, capturing emergent effects of collective electrical activity without fully deciphering the underlying processes. However, by applying mathematical modeling to both approaches, improving data interpretation and enhancing analytical capabilities may be achieved.