Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The development of waterlogging damage in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.)

I. Shoot and root growth in relation to changes in the concentrations of dissolved gases and solutes in the soil solution

  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The effects of waterlogging on concentrations of gases and various solutes dissolved in the soil water were investigated in the laboratory, to determine whether the early disruption to the growth of wheat was most closely associated with depletion of dissolved oxygen, accumulation of toxins, or changes in concentrations of nutrient ions in the soil water. Waterlogging slowed shoot fresh weight accumulation, leaf extension and nodal root growth; it also caused death of the seminal root system and early senescence of the lower leaves. However, the shoot dry weight initially increased above that of the non-waterlogged controls, and thus was not a reliable indicator of the early restriction to plant growth and development. The symptoms of damage to shoots and roots were attributed to the fall in soil oxygen concentrations, rather than to any decrease in concentration of inorganic nutrients in the soil water, or to the accumulation of any other measured solutes to toxic concentrations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Barber, D. A., Ebert, M. and Evans, N. T. S. 1962 The movement of15O2 through barley and rice plants. J. Exp. Bot.13, 397–403.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Beevers, L., Loveys, B., Pearson, J. A. and Wareing, P. F. 1970 Phytochrome and hormonal control of expansion and greening of etiolated wheat leaves. Planta90, 286–294.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bourget, S. J., and Dow, B. K. 1966 Effects of different soil moisture tensions on flax and cereals. Can. J. Soil Sci.46, 213–216.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Brewer, P. G., Chan, K. M. and Riley, J. P. 1965 Automatic determination of certain micronutrients in sea water.In Automation of analytical chemistry. Ed. L. T. Skeggs. pp 308–314. Technicon Symposium.

  5. Brouwer, R., Jenneskens, P. J. and Borggreve, G. J. 1961 Growth responses of shoots and roots to interruptions of the nitrogen supply. Jaarb. Inst. Biol. Scheik. Onderz. Landbgew.1961, 29–36.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Brouwer, R. and Kleinendorst, A. 1965 Effect of root excision on growth phenomena in perennial ryegrass. Jaarb. Inst. Biol. Scheik. Onderz. Landbgew.1965, 11–20.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Burrows, W. J. and Carr, D. T. 1969 Effects of flooding the root system of sunflower plants on the cytokinin content of the xylem sap. Physiol. Plant22, 1105–1112.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Cameron, D. G. 1973 Lucerne in wet soils, the effect of stage of growth, cultivar, air temperature and root temperature. Aust J. Agric. Res.24, 851–861.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Crawford, R. M. M. 1972 Some metabolic aspects of ecology. Trans. Bot. Soc. Edinburgh41, 309–322.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Crossett, R. N. and Campbell, D. J. 1975 The effects of ethylene in the root environment upon the development of barley. Plant and Soil42, 453–464.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Davidson, R. L. 1969 Effect of root/leaf tempaerature differentials on root/shoot ratios in some pasture grasses and clover. Ann. Bot.33, 561–569.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Drew, M. C. and Sisworo, E. J. 1977 Early effects of flooding on nitrogen deficiency and leaf chlorosis in barley. New Phytol.79, 567–571.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Drew, M. C. and Sisworo, E. J. 1979 The development of waterlogging damage in young barley plants in relation to plant nutrient status and changes in soil properties. New Phytol.82, 301–314.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Fulton, J. M. and Erikson, A. E. 1964 Soil aeration and ethyl alcohol accumulation in tomatoes. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc.28, 610–614.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Grable, A. R. 1966 Soil aeration and plant growth. Adv. Agron.18, 57–106.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hall, K. C. 1978 A gas chromatographic method for the determination of oxygen dissolved in water using an electron capture detector. J. Chromatog. Sci.16, 311–313.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Harkett, P. J. and Burton, W. G. 1975 The influence of a low oxygen tension on tuberization in the potato plant. Potato Res.18, 314–319.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Hiron, R. W. P. and Wright, S. T. C. 1973 The role of endogenous abscisic acid in the response of plants to stress. J. Exp. Bot.24, 769–781.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hopkins, H. T., Specht, A. W. and Hendricks, S. B. 1950 Growth and nutrient accumulation as controlled by oxygen supplied to plant roots. Plant Physiol.25, 193–204.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Hsaio T. C., Acevedo, E. and Henderson, D. W. 1970 Maize leaf elongation: continuous measurements and close dependence on plant water status. Science168, 590–591.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Jackson, M. B., Gales, K. and Campbell, D. J. 1978 Effect of waterlogged soil conditions on the production of ethylene and on water relations in tomato plants. J. Exp. Bot.29, 183–193.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Janes, B. E. 1974 The effect of variations in root environment on root growth and resistance to flow of water in intact plants.In Mechanisms of Regulation of Plant Growth. Eds. R. L. Bieleski, A. R. Ferguson and M. M. Cresswell pp 379–385. The Royal Society of New Zealand, Wellington.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Jensen, C. R., Stolzy, L. H. and Letey, J. 1967 Tracer studies of oxygen diffusion through roots of barley, corn and rice. Soil Sci.103, 23–29.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Kawase, M. 1972 Effect of flooding on ethylene concentration in horticultural plants. J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci.97, 584–588.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kramer, P. J. 1951 Causes of injury of plants resulting from flooding of the soil. Plant Physiol.26, 722–736.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Kramer, P. J. 1969 Plant and Soil Water Relations: A modern Synthesis. Publ. McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Kramer, P. J. and Jackson, W. T. 1954 Causes of injury to flooded tobacco plants. Plant Physiol.29, 241–245.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Letey, J., Stolzy, L. H., Blank, G. B. and Lunt, O. R. 1961 Effect of temperature on oxygen diffusion rates and subsequent shoot growth root growth and mineral content of two plant species. Soil Sci.92, 314–321.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Letey, J., Stolzy, L. H., Valoras, N. and Szuszkiewicz, T. E. 1962 The influence of soil oxygen on growth and mineral concentrations of barley. Agron. J.54, 538–540.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Leyshon, A. J. and Sheard, R. W. 1974 Influence of short-term flooding on the growth and plant nutrient composition of barley. Can. J. Soil Sci.54, 463–473.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Loveys, B. R. and Wareing, P. F. 1971 The hormonal control of wheat leaf unrolling. Planta98, 117–127.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Luxmore, R. J. and Stolzy, L. H. 1972 Oxygen diffusion in soil — plant system VI. A synopsis with commentary. Agron. J.64, 725–729.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Martin, M. H. 1968 Conditions affecting the distribution ofMercurialis perennis L. in certain Cambridgeshire woodlands. J. Ecol.56, 777–793.

    Google Scholar 

  34. McManmon, M. and Crawford, R. M. M. 1971 Metabolic theory of flooding tolerance: The significance of enzyme distribution and behaviour. New Phytol.70, 299–306.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Mees, G. C. and Weatherley, P. E. 1957 The mechanism of water absorption by roots. II. The role of hydrostatic pressure gradients across the cortex. Proc. R. Soc. London Ser.B 147, 381–391.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Milborrow, B. V. 1974 The chemistry and physiology of abscisic acid. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol.25, 259–307.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Patrick, W. H. and Tusneem, M. E. 1972 Nitrogen losses from flooded soil. Ecology53, 735–737.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Philips, I. D J. 1964 Root-shoot hormone reactions II. Changes in endogenous auxin concentrations produced by flooding of the root system inHelianthus annuus. Ann. Bot.28, 37–45.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Ponnamperuma, F. N. 1972 The chemistry of submerged soils. Adv. Agron.24, 29–96.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Reid, D. M., Crozier, A. and Harvey, B. M. R. 1969 Effects of flooding on the export of gibberellins from the root to the shoot. Planta89, 376–379.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Reyes, D. M., Stolzy, L. H. and Labanauskas, C. K. 1977 Temperature and oxygen effects in soil on nutrient uptake in Jojaba seedlings. Agron. J.69, 647–650.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Rogers, J. A. and King, J. 1972 The distribution and abundance of grassland species in hill pasture in relation to soil aeration and base status. J. Ecol.60, 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Rowe, R. N. and Beardsell, D. V. 1973 Waterlogging of fruit trees. Hortic. Abstr.43, 533–548.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Russell, E. W. 1973 Soil conditions and plant growth. 10th edition, Longman, London.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Russell, M. B. 1952 Soil aeration and plant growth.In Soil Physical Conditions and Plant Growth. Ed. B. T. Shaw. pp 253–301. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Samborski, D. J. and Shaw, M. 1957 The physiology of host-parasite relations IVa. The effect of malic hydrazine on the carbohydrate, nitrogen and free amino acid content of the first leaf of Khapli wheat. Can. J. Bot.35, 457–461.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Scholander, P. F., Hammel, H. T., Bradstreet, E. D. and Hemminsen, E. A. 1965 Sap pressure in vascular plants. Negative hydrostatic pressure can be measured in plants. Science148, 339–346.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Slatyer, R. O. 1967 Plant-water relations. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Smith, K. A. and Dowdell, R. J. 1974 Gas chromatographic measurement of dissolved oxygen and trace levels of nitrogen oxide using a helium ionization detector. A.R.C. Letcombe Lab. Annu. Rep.1973, 53–55.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Stolzy, L. H. and Fluhler, H. 1978 Measurement and prediction of anaerobiosis in soils.In Nitrogen in the Environment Vol. I, Nitrogen behavior in field soil. Eds D. R. Nielsen and J. G.MacDonald. pp 363–426. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Trought, M. C. T. and Drew, M. C. 1980 The development of waterlogging damage in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.). II. Accumulation and redistribution of nutrients by the shoot. Plant and Soil54 (in press).

  52. Van't Woudt, B. D. and Hagan, R. M. 1957 Crop responses at excessively high soil moisture levels.In Drainage of agricultural Lands. Ed. J. N. Luthin. pp 514–578. Am., Soc. Agron., Madison.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Varapetian, B. B. and Timiriazev, K. A. 1973 Aeration of roots in relation to molecular oxygen transport in plants.In Plant response to climatic factors. pp 259–265. Proc. Uppsala Symp. 1970. UNESCO Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Watson, E. R., Lapins, P. and Barron, R. J. W. 1976 Effects of waterlogging on the growth, grain and straw yield of wheat, barley and oats. Aust. J. Exp. Agric. Anim. Husb.16, 114–122.

    Google Scholar 

  55. West, S. H. 1973 Carbohydrate metabolism and photosynthesis of tropical grasses subjected to low temperature.In Plant response to climatic factors. pp 165–168. Proc. Uppsala Symp. 1970. UNESCO Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Williamson, R. E. and Kriz, G. J. 1970 Response of agricultural crops to flooding, depth of water table and soil gaseous composition. Trans. Am. Soc. Agric. Engrs.13, 216–220.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Wolf, F. T. 1967 Exogenous precursors of starch synthesis in the leaves of wheat seedlings. Z. Pflanzenphysiol.57, 128–133.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Woolhouse, H. W. 1967 The nature of senescence in plants.In Aspects of the biology of ageing. Society Experimental Biology Symposium21, 179–213. Cambridge University Press.

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. M. C. T. Trought

    Present address: Plant Diseases Division D.S.I.R., Private Bag, Auckland, New Zealand

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Letcombe Laboratory, Agricultural Research Council, OX12 9JT, Wantage, UK

    M. C. T. Trought & M. C. Drew

Authors
  1. M. C. T. Trought
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. C. Drew
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Trought, M.C.T., Drew, M.C. The development of waterlogging damage in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.). Plant Soil 54, 77–94 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182001

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182001

Key Words

Search

Navigation