Plant thermotropism: an underexplored thermal engagement and avoidance strategy

Various strategies evolved in plants to adjust the position of organs relative to the prevailing temperature condition, which allows optimal plant growth and performance. Such responses are classically separated into nastic and tropic responses. During plant thermotropic responses, organs move towards (engage) or away from (avoid) a directional temperature cue. Despite thermotropism being a classic botanical concept, the underlying ecological function and molecular and biophysical mechanisms remain poorly understood to this day. This is in contrast to the relatively well-studied thermonastic movements (hyponasty) of, for example, rosette leaves. In this review, we provide an update on the current knowledge on plant thermotropisms and propose directions for future research and application.

Automated summary

Plants have evolved various strategies to adjust organ positions in response to temperature, with thermotropism and thermonastic movements being classic concepts in botany. While thermonastic movements are relatively well-studied, the ecological function and mechanisms underlying thermotropism remain poorly understood.