Heterogeneity and its multiscale integration in plant morphogenesis

Abstract

Heterogeneity is observed at all levels in living organisms, but its role during the development of an individual is not well understood. Heterogeneity has either to be limited to ensure robust development or can be an actor of the biological processes leading to reproducible development. Here we review the sources of heterogeneity in plants, stress the interplay between noise in elementary processes and regulated biological mechanisms, and highlight how heterogeneity is integrated at multiple scales during plant morphogenesis.