Influence of flooding on growth and gas exchange of mango rootstocks (Mangifera indica L.) and proposed selection criteria for flood tolerance.
Zude M., Ebert G., Lüdders P.
Author Affiliation: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Fachgebiet Obstbau, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, D-14195 Berlin, Germany.
Angewandte Botanik 72 : 148-151
Abstract : In a greenhouse experiment, rooted cuttings of mango rootstock 13/1 were grown in containers filled with quartz sand. The temperature inside the containers was kept at a constant 22°C. Containers were filled with stagnant water to induce oxygen deficiency in the root zone. Only plants with hypertrophied lenticels survived the treatment for more than 5 days. Flooding led to a decrease in leaf CO2 uptake. Enhanced stomatal resistance resulted in a reduced transpiration rate. Root respiration and root growth decreased simultaneously during flooding. The results indicated that to improve flooding tolerance, mango trees could be selected for: (1) development of hypertrophied lenticels, which allow transport of oxygen from the atmosphere into the root; and (2) an alternative respiration pathway as well as residual respiration. It is suggested that non-cytochrome pathways might play an important role in the energy charge of roots under restricted soil oxygen.