Fall 13: Plants and Epigenetics

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Plants also have an epigenome. Like our own, theirs can be altered by climate and microbes. Gene expression is changed to adapt to available nutrients, water, sun, disease, helpful microbes (fungi, etc.), immediate plant population (over-crowding), and more. Because some plants have more than one type of reproductive cycle, the parts of the epigenome that are passed on may vary. In humans, only the mothers epigenome is passed on. In plants, they may pass on both sets, depending on reproduction type. These changes can affect short term survival, long term survival of one plant, or long term survival of a population of plants. Understanding these processes could greatly impact our ability to grow healthy plants in a sustainable fashion. Here is an interesting article for more information: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/20/7457/htm. 

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