Plant responses to anaerobiosis

This paper reviews the literature with the aim of presenting an updated status on some aspects of research on the responses opposed by plants to anaerobic stress and suggesting ways to avoid anoxia-induced biochemical changes that may be harmful to their life.

Abstract

Plant life is greatly impaired under conditions of oxygen deficit. Only few plants can grow in waterlogged soils, thanks to anatomical adaptation allowing the transport of oxygen to the submerged parts of the plant. The behaviour of a few plant species able to germinate under completely anoxic conditions can be explained only by assuming that a biochemical adaptation is present in these species but absent in all the other species. Alternatively, plants that are tolerant to anoxia may avoid anoxia-induced biochemical changes that may be harmful to their life. In this paper we review the literature with the aim of presenting an updated status on some aspects of research on the responses opposed by plants to anaerobic stress.