Floodwater temperature and stem lenticel hypertrophy in Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae).
Larson K. D., Davies F. S., Schaffer B.
Author Affiliation: Tropical Research and Education Center, IFAS, University of Florida, Homestead, FL 33031, USA.
American Journal of Botany 78 : 1397-1403
Abstract : One-year-old seedling trees of mango cv. Peach in 3.75-litre plastic pots were exposed to floodwater temperatures of 15, 22.5 or 30°C for at least 13 days. Floodwater was maintained at 10 cm above the soil surface. Immediately prior to flooding, and at daily intervals thereafter, trees were visually examined for evidence of lenticel hypertrophy. Although lenticel hypertrophy was first apparent after 5 days of submergence at 30°, and after 6 days at 22.5°, the mean number of days of flooding until lenticel hypertrophy was first observed was 6.6 and 8.1 for the 30 and 22.5° treatments, respectively. Even after 28 days, lenticel hypertrophy did not occur on plants flooded at 15°. Initial stages of lenticel hypertrophy were characterized by development of intercellular spaces in the phellem and production of additional phellum tissue by increased phellogen activity. Later states of hypertrophy were characterized by development of intercellular spaces in the phellum and cortex. Tree survival was not affected by floodwater temperature or lenticel hypertrophy.