Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2010, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (7): 855-866.DOI: 10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2010.07.011

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A review of the correlation of flooding adaptability and carbohydrates in plants

SHI Mei-Fen, ZENG Bo*(), SHEN Jian-Hong, LEI Shu-Tong, ZHU Zhi, LIU Jian-Hui   

  1. Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Ecology and Resources Research in Three Gorges Reservoir Region , School of Life Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
  • Received:2009-11-26 Accepted:2010-03-01 Online:2010-11-26 Published:2010-07-01
  • Contact: ZENG Bo

Abstract:

Flooding causes substantial stress for terrestrial plants, particularly if the floodwater completely submerges the shoot. The main problems during submergence are shortage of oxygen due to slow diffusion rates of gases in water and unfavorable conditions of light and carbon dioxide supply. Collectively, these factors lead to loss of biomass and eventually death of the submerged plants. The survival of plants is closely related to carbohydrates, the substrate for respiration. There are two major aspects of the correlation of plants flooding adaptability and carbohydrates. First, there are morphological and physiological responses of terrestrial plant species that enable the positive effects of carbohydrates on underwater plant performance: plants usually elongate or reduce underwater elongation and maintain a higher level of root carbohydrates that facilitates survival. Second, plants change the expression of hormone, enzyme and gene, adjusting carbohydrate metabolism to flooding. The research advances in concentration of carbohydrates upon morphological and physiological changes and hormone, enzyme and gene expression to submergence are summarized.

Key words: carbohydrates, flooding, terrestrial plants