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Effects of Short Periods of Anaerobic and Near-Anaerobic Conditions on Water Uptake by Tobacco Roots¹

Intact tobacco roots growing in nutrient solution spray in a sealed chamber were treated with mixtures of O₂, N₂, and CO₂ gases. Oxygen and water uptake by roots and plant stem diameter were recorded.

Anaerobic treatments produced by flushing roots with N₂ or N₂ plus 21% CO₂ gases for 6 hours decreased water uptake 50% or more, but restoration of air to roots caused a rapid recovery of water uptake. Root injury was caused by both treatments, as evidenced by reduced oxygen uptake following each treatment. Gases with 1% or more oxygen had little or no effect on water uptake. Treatment gases containing up to 21% CO₂ had the same effect on water uptake as treatment gases without CO₂. Oxygen deficiency appears to be the primary cause of the initial decrease in water uptake and wilting of tobacco subjected to poor root aeration.

Key Words: Aeration • Drainage • Root respiration

² Soil Scientist, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, N.C. State University, Raleigh, N. C. 27607.

Received for publication August 9, 1969.