Aspects of an experimental study on root aerenchyma development and the ecological implications thereof

Abstract

Anaerobic conditions induced cortical aerenchyma in maize roots cultivated in water culture. Similar results were obtained by growing the plants in nitrate and phosphate deficient solutions but the cavitation was more severe when conditions were anaerobic. Low temperatures delayed the onset of these symptoms. Mineral deficiencies also regulated the formation of root hairs in water culture. In the field, the behaviour of the rooting systems in a group of Restionaceae with aerenchyma was interpreted from anatomical and developmental data.