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Ethylene in the soil atmosphere, and its effects on root growth
Author(s) -
Smith K. A.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1975.tb00508.x
Subject(s) - ethylene , biology , anaerobic exercise , atmosphere (unit) , agronomy , water content , organic matter , moisture , botany , ecology , chemistry , physiology , biochemistry , physics , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering , catalysis , thermodynamics
Ethylene concentrations in the soil atmosphere can greatly exceed levels known to markedly influence plant growth. The ethylene is microbial in origin and the rate of production under anaerobic conditions is correlated with organic matter content. Under field conditions the highest concentrations occur when soil temperatures and moisture levels are high, resulting in development of anaerobic zones. Crop species differ widely in the sensitivity of their roots to ethylene, this sensitivity being broadly correlated with known intolerance of waterlogged (anaerobic) environments.