Physiological Responses of Plants to Waterlogging1

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Abstract
Waterlogging of the soil rapidly and dramatically alters both the physical and biological environment of plant roots. In response to environmental stimuli, physiological events occur within the plant which affect its growth and development. The purpose of this paper is to review certain aspects of the physiological responses of plants to waterlogging with respect to the response mechanisms and the subsequent adaptations in the growth and development of the whole plant. Many important aspects of the subject must be only briefly mentioned here, such as the effects of waterlogging on soil chemistry, nutrient availability and uptake, microbiology, pathology, and senescence. The reader is referred to recent literature for information on these topics (3, 13, 19, 21). The overriding effect of soil flooding is to limit the diffusion of oxygen to the root zone. The focus here, therefore, will be on the responses of plants to root anaerobiosis and some initial, rapid mechanisms of adjustment. Further information on long-term adaptation, especially in woody plants, can be found elsewhere (76).

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