Photoreceptor Signaling Networks in Plant Responses to Shade
TL;DR
Plants use five photoreceptor types for comprehensive light sensing
This paper explains how plants integrate signals from multiple photoreceptor types to create a comprehensive picture of their light environment - and potential threats from competitors. The shade avoidance syndrome described here shows how organisms can detect not just current conditions but predictive signals about future resource scarcity.
The multi-photoreceptor integration described provides a model for how organizations might combine multiple sensing systems to detect opportunity gradients.
Key Findings from Casal (2013)
- Plants use five photoreceptor types for comprehensive light sensing
- Red:far-red ratio detects shade from competing plants
- Shade signals trigger emergency etiolation response
- Signal integration enables predictive responses to future competition