Flooding responses in Zea mays L.

Wenkert, W.; Fausey, N.R.; Watters, H.D.

Flooding responses in Zea mays L.

1981

Wenkert, W. | Fausey, N.R. | Watters, H.D. (Soil Drainage Research Unit USDA, Columbus, Ohio (USA))

This study was undertaken to determine the specific mechanisms of flooding injury in Zea mays L., especially the role of water deficit. Maize plants in soil were artificially flooded in greenhouse and field, both with and without exchanging the soil solution with new water and nutrients. Plants in solution culture were rapidly stressed by replacing aeration gas with nitrogen. In all cases of measurable short term response, root and leaf growth rates decreased within 1 to 12 hours, and stomatal resistance increased 2 or 3 days later. Both growth rates and stomatal resistance recovered spontaneously during the flooding period. Over the long term (more than a week), growth rates were inhibited only when the soil solution was not periodically changed and Kjeldahl measured nitrogen deficiency was evident in the leaves. None of the above effects was associated with high root resistance to water uptake, plant water deficit, or a change in the osmotic balance of the leaves. The only water stress associated with the experiments was found immediately after draining plants that had been flooded for 2 weeks. In this instance, the preflooding root systems appeared damaged.

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