Recovery dynamics of growth, photosynthesis and carbohydrate accumulation after de-submergence: a comparison between two wetland plants showing escape and quiescence strategies.
OBJECTIVE
The capacity for fast-growth recovery after de-submergence is important for establishment of riparian species in a water-level-fluctuation zone. Recovery patterns of two wetland plants, Alternanthera philoxeroides and Hemarthria altissima, showing 'escape' and 'quiescence' responses, respectively, during submergence were investigated.


METHODS
Leaf and root growth and photosynthesis were monitored continuously during 10 d of recovery following 20 d of complete submergence. Above- and below-ground dry weights, as well as carbohydrate concentrations, were measured several times during the experiment.


RESULTS
Both species remobilized stored carbohydrate during submergence. Although enhanced internode elongation depleted the carbohydrate storage in A. philoxeroides during submergence, this species resumed leaf growth 3 d after de-submergence concomitant with restoration of the maximal photosynthetic capacity. In contrast, some sucrose was conserved in shoots of H. altissima during submergence, which promoted rapid re-growth of leaves 2 d after de-submergence and earlier than the full recovery of photosynthesis. The recovery of root growth was delayed by 1-2 d compared with leaves in both species.


CONCLUSIONS
Submergence tolerance of the escape and quiescence strategies entails not only the corresponding regulation of growth, carbohydrate catabolism and energy metabolism during submergence but also co-ordinated recovery of photosynthesis, growth and carbohydrate partitioning following de-submergence.
Institut für Chemie und Dynamik der Geosphäre, ICG-3, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany.
Fang-Li
FL
Luo
Kerstin A
KA
Nagel
Hanno
H
Scharr
Bo
B
Zeng
Ulrich
U
Schurr
Shizue
S
Matsubara
D000064:Acclimatization; D027703:Amaranthaceae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055868:Floods; D010788:Photosynthesis; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000254:growth & development; D006109:Poaceae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013395:Sucrose / Q000378:metabolism
D013395:Sucrose