Epigenetic Memory and Transgenerational Stress Adaptation in Plants

Abstract

Recent studies highlight a distinctive appearance of “intelligence” within the kingdom plantae. Regardless of the lack of a nervous system, plants have developed a mature molecular machinery that assist to remember, to compose decisions, and take responses according to the stress stimulus. Being sessile organisms, plants can utilize these multifaceted systems to boost up their resource strategies and develop their strength for survival among hard environmental conditions. Along with these capabilities, these sessile plants also gain potential to transmit their acquired experience to their next generation via epigenetic modifications, thereby extending typical genetic inheritance. This chapter explores the sensory system by which plants observe, recognize, remember, and respond to their surroundings. As a result, these acquired adaptations can be transferred to their next generations to equip them more efficiently against any climatic challenges.