Wetland plants exhibit high tolerance to flooding because of their
ability to form air channels called lysigenous aerenchyma, which help
transfer gases to the submerged roots. Aside from withstanding flooding,
these air channels also help plants during droughtand nutrient
deficiency. To understand the mechanism behind the formation of these
air channels, the research team conducted the study which could provide
insights on how to develop more resilient crops.

The team found that the plant hormone auxin is necessary for the
formation of the air channels during normal root growth and identified
two factors that lead to the formation of the air channels. First, the
roots are submerged under aerobic conditions. Then, when there is an
impediment in gas exchange, ethylene builds up in the roots, leading to
the production of an enzyme responsible for reactive oxygen species
(ROS) formation. The ROS triggers cell death in the tissues, leading to
the formation of cavities where the gasses pass through.

Nagoya University Research Achievements (nagoya-u.ac.jp)
[en.nagoya-u.ac.jp]