Constraints of root response to waterlogging in Alisma triviale

Abstract

To understand the economics of root aerenchyma formation in wetland plants, we investigated in detail the response of Alisma triviale to waterlogging. We hypothesized costs being associated with development of a large root air space. In three out-door pot experiments, seedlings (1 experiment) and mature plants (2 experiments) were grown under waterlogged and drained conditions for up to 2 months. Waterlogging promoted growth, and was associated with increased root porosity and decreased root density (fresh mass per volume). The increased formation of aerenchyma was associated with a higher root dry matter content for a given root density. Despite improved growth and earlier flowering, the waterlogged plants also showed signs of being constrained by the anoxic substrate, such as shallower roots, and a higher leaf dry matter content. The formation of aerenchyma was associated with costs, such as increased root dry matter content and reduced metaxylem vessel diameter. The faster growth of the seedlings under the waterlogged conditions, despite some signs of being stressed, was possibly a result of decreased requirements to allocate biomass below ground. In mature plants the increased aerenchyma allowed deeper root penetration, and ameliorated the effects of anoxia, reducing the differences in plant traits between the treatments.

Interactive effects of waterlogging and atmospheric CO2 concentration on gas exchange, growth and functional traits of Australian riparian tree seedlings

“…*-letters denote statistical significance of differences between treatment combinations (NS = no significant difference; C = significant difference between CO 2 level treatments; W = significant difference between waterlogging treatments) control or recovering plants, indicates that E. camaldulensis responded favorably to waterlogging in this study. This growth response concurs with the results of previous studies (Marcar, 1993;Sena-Gomes & Kozlowski, 1980, although see Kogawara, Yamanoshita, Norisada, Masumori, & Kojima, 2006 waterlogging has been linked to the requirement for structural support of air spaces in aerenchymous root tissue (Ryser, Gill, & Byrne, 2011). Suberization of root hypodermal tissue often occurs under waterlogging as a means of reducing radial oxygen loss (De Simone et al, 2002;Visser, Colmer, Blom, & Voesenek, 2000) and may also increase root dry matter content.…”

“…A corresponding pattern in water use efficiency corroborates this inference. Higher root dry matter content under waterlogging has been linked to the requirement for structural support of air spaces in aerenchymous root tissue (Ryser, Gill, & Byrne, ). Suberization of root hypodermal tissue often occurs under waterlogging as a means of reducing radial oxygen loss (De Simone et al, ; Visser, Colmer, Blom, & Voesenek, ) and may also increase root dry matter content.…”

Plant Stress-Tolerance Traits Predict Salt Marsh Vegetation Patterning

“…Since aerenchyma is absent in many plant species and underdeveloped in most conditions, it is likely that there may be costs associated with aerenchyma or its formation. To date, there is a lack of quantitative information on such possible disadvantages (Ryser et al, 2011;Huber and Linder, 2012).…”

Reliability of leaf relative water content (RWC) measurements after storage: consequences for in situ measurements

“…In the field, however, the quick loss of water from excised leaves poses a problem, requiring protective measures against water loss. Tin cans (Stocker 1929;Jolly et al 2014), plastic vials (Hadley and Smith 1983;Armas et al 2010;Aref et al 2013;Fernández-García et al 2014), and sealed plastic bags (Smart and Bingham 1974;Gonzalez and Gonzalez-Vilar 2001;Davidson et al 2006;Gonçalves et al 2011;Ryser et al 2011;Walter et al 2011;Teszlák et al 2013) have been used to protect the collected leaves against water loss during the transportation from field to laboratory. Govender et al (2009) stress the importance of a proper sampling procedure to prevent water loss by keeping leaves in plastic bags and in a cool dark place.…”