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Effects of oxygen level on metabolism and development of seedlings of Trapa natans and two ecologically related species
Author(s) -
Menegus Faustino,
Cattaruzza Liliana,
Scaglioni Leonardo,
Ragg Enzio
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1992.tb01326.x
Subject(s) - biology , coleoptile , botany , germination , shoot , scirpus , photosynthesis , aerial root , wetland , ecology , mangrove
Seeds of the water plant Trapa natans L. (water chestnut) can germinate in strict anoxia. The seedlings show seminal roots growing upwards while shoot buds remain quiescent until O 2 becomes available. Trapa seedlings are highly tolerant to anoxia. The rate of ethanol fermentation was 21.2 μmol (g FW) −1 h −1 , while production of lactate was negligible and lower than that of succinate. The seminal root of Trapa compares better to the rice coleoptile rather than to the rice root, both functionally and as to the metabolic response to anoxia. The anaerobic germination of Nuphar luteum L. and Scirpus mucronatus L. was also characterized by a limited developmental program.