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The Balance Between Resource Sequestration and Retention: A Challenge in Plant Science

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Book cover Growth and Defence in Plants

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 220))

Abstract

Plants may encounter dilemma in resource allocation while serving concurrent internal functions. Trade-off in allocation is conceived to govern allocation into growth (ensuring competitiveness) versus defence of abiotic and biotic stress, and regulatory mechanisms are postulated to accomplish the respective balance. Concepts towards clarification are exemplified, such as theories on the “growth–differentiation balance (GDB)”, “carbon–nutrient balance”, “protein competition model” and “optimal defence”. Constraints and potential of theory development are highlighted, related to theory maturation, hypothesis formulation and study design, and to biological aspects relevant for ecologically meaningful experimentation. Challenges are to foster knowledge beyond (pseudo-)steady-state towards transitory stages in plant performance, mechanistically grounding plasticity in stress response while distinguishing resource-associated cost/benefit relationships in view of direct versus indirect defence costs. GDB possesses advanced framework quality in guiding spatio-temporal process scaling across ontogenetic stages and ecological scenarios. This review sets the introductory stage for the gain in knowledge presented in this book.

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Acknowledgements

We thank “Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft” (DFG) for the support of research covered by the topic of this review through SFB 607 “Growth and Parasite Defence – Competition for Resources in Economic Plants from Agronomy and Forestry”. Comments on an early version of the manuscript by Dr. D. Herms are acknowledged. Stimulating discussions on the topic with Dr. U. Lüttge and inspiring suggestions by him on the manuscript are highly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Ecophysiology of Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany

    R. Matyssek

  2. School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK

    J. Koricheva

  3. Lehrstuhl für Grünlandlehre, Technische Universität München, Alte Akademie 12, 85350, Freising, Germany

    H. Schnyder

  4. Institute of Biochemical Plant Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany

    D. Ernst

  5. Institute of Soil Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany

    J. C. Munch

  6. Phytopathology of Woody Plants, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany

    W. Oßwald

  7. Chair of Forest Growth and Yield Science, Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany

    H. Pretzsch

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  1. R. Matyssek
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Correspondence to R. Matyssek .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Ecophysiology of Plants, Technical University of Munich Chair of Ecophysiology of Plants, Freising, Germany

    Rainer Matyssek

  2. Chair of Grassland Science, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany

    Hans Schnyder

  3. Chair of Phytopathology of Woody Plants, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany

    Wolfgang Oßwald

  4. Institute of Biochemcial Plant Biology, Helmholtz-Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany

    Dieter Ernst

  5. Institute of Soil Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany

    Jean Charles Munch

  6. LS Waldwachstumskunde, TU München LS Waldwachstumskunde, Freising, Germany

    Hans Pretzsch

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Matyssek, R. et al. (2012). The Balance Between Resource Sequestration and Retention: A Challenge in Plant Science. In: Matyssek, R., Schnyder, H., Oßwald, W., Ernst, D., Munch, J., Pretzsch, H. (eds) Growth and Defence in Plants. Ecological Studies, vol 220. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-30645-7_1

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