Contrary to common belief that plants are immobile, they in fact exhibit a variety of movements to increase their chance to survive. In addition to these mechanisms, they need to recognize their environment and have access to light, water, nutrients and support for climbing plants to adapt their environment and grow successfully. Climbing plants have demonstrated kinematic features that prove the movement mechanisms they exhibit to reach support are purposeful. In this study, we focused on whether the pea plant, a climbing plant, exhibits quantity-related abilities, which are one of the cognitive abilities that require complex processes such as decision making against possible supports. In the experiment, we questioned how plants change their kinematic properties according to the numerical characteristics of the supports offered as they approach the support. Pea plants were tested in the presence of 3 supports on one side and a single support on the other side (different quantity condition – DQ) or in the presence of 2 supports on one side and 2 support on the other side (equal quantity condition – EQ) by means the three dimensional (3D) kinematical analysis. Results showed that in the DQ condition, where there were 3 supports on one side and a single support on the other side, plant mostly preferred one of the supports in the direction where there was more support, while in the EQ condition in which no selection strategy was adopted by plants. Results demonstrated that plants show a distinct motor behavior towards the more-numerous sets and provide preliminary evidence on the existence of quantity-related abilities in plants.
Contrary to common belief that plants are immobile, they in fact exhibit a variety of movements to increase their chance to survive. In addition to these mechanisms, they need to recognize their environment and have access to light, water, nutrients and support for climbing plants to adapt their environment and grow successfully. Climbing plants have demonstrated kinematic features that prove the movement mechanisms they exhibit to reach support are purposeful. In this study, we focused on whether the pea plant, a climbing plant, exhibits quantity-related abilities, which are one of the cognitive abilities that require complex processes such as decision making against possible supports. In the experiment, we questioned how plants change their kinematic properties according to the numerical characteristics of the supports offered as they approach the support. Pea plants were tested in the presence of 3 supports on one side and a single support on the other side (different quantity condition – DQ) or in the presence of 2 supports on one side and 2 support on the other side (equal quantity condition – EQ) by means the three dimensional (3D) kinematical analysis. Results showed that in the DQ condition, where there were 3 supports on one side and a single support on the other side, plant mostly preferred one of the supports in the direction where there was more support, while in the EQ condition in which no selection strategy was adopted by plants. Results demonstrated that plants show a distinct motor behavior towards the more-numerous sets and provide preliminary evidence on the existence of quantity-related abilities in plants.
Quantity-related ability in pea plants (Pisum sativum L.)
DOGANBAS, ESMA NUR
2023/2024
Abstract
Contrary to common belief that plants are immobile, they in fact exhibit a variety of movements to increase their chance to survive. In addition to these mechanisms, they need to recognize their environment and have access to light, water, nutrients and support for climbing plants to adapt their environment and grow successfully. Climbing plants have demonstrated kinematic features that prove the movement mechanisms they exhibit to reach support are purposeful. In this study, we focused on whether the pea plant, a climbing plant, exhibits quantity-related abilities, which are one of the cognitive abilities that require complex processes such as decision making against possible supports. In the experiment, we questioned how plants change their kinematic properties according to the numerical characteristics of the supports offered as they approach the support. Pea plants were tested in the presence of 3 supports on one side and a single support on the other side (different quantity condition – DQ) or in the presence of 2 supports on one side and 2 support on the other side (equal quantity condition – EQ) by means the three dimensional (3D) kinematical analysis. Results showed that in the DQ condition, where there were 3 supports on one side and a single support on the other side, plant mostly preferred one of the supports in the direction where there was more support, while in the EQ condition in which no selection strategy was adopted by plants. Results demonstrated that plants show a distinct motor behavior towards the more-numerous sets and provide preliminary evidence on the existence of quantity-related abilities in plants.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12608/79278