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Ethylene-Mediated Acclimations to Flooding Stress
Rashmi Sasidharan1, Laurentius A C J Voesenek2
1Plant Ecophysiology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, 3584-CH Utrecht, The Netherlands r.sasidharan@uu.nl.
Plant Physiology
|April 22, 2015
Summary
Flooding harms plants by restricting gas exchange, leading to energy deficits. Ethylene, a plant hormone, signals flooding and regulates adaptive traits, aiding survival and recovery.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Plant Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Flooding causes plant stress by limiting gas exchange, resulting in energy and carbohydrate deficits.
- Restricted gas exchange under flooding leads to rapid ethylene accumulation in plant cells, serving as a crucial early signal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss major ethylene-mediated flood-adaptive traits in plants.
- To explore the functional relevance of these traits.
- To review recent progress in understanding the molecular and signaling pathways of ethylene in plant flood responses.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on plant flooding responses and ethylene signaling.
- Analysis of molecular and genetic studies identifying downstream signaling events.
- Speculative analysis on ethylene's role in postsubmergence recovery.
Main Results:
- Ethylene is a pervasive and reliable signal of flooding stress in plants.
- Ethylene regulates key adaptive traits that enhance plant survival under flooded conditions.
- Significant progress has been made in identifying molecular mechanisms downstream of ethylene.
Conclusions:
- Ethylene plays a central role in mediating plant adaptation to flooding.
- Understanding ethylene's molecular pathways is crucial for improving plant flood tolerance.
- Further research is needed to elucidate ethylene's role in postsubmergence recovery.
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