Influence of Flooding on the Alcohol Dehydrogenase Activity of Roots of Trifolium subterraneum L.

Abstract

Flooding the roots of T. subterraneum grown in sand culture induced large (often 30-fold) increases in alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity, indicative of anaerobic respiration. In pot culture the levels of ADH activity were lower in varieties of subspecies yanninicum than in varieties of subspecies brachycalycinum and subterraneum. The varieties took 6–9 days to reach maximum ADH values, indicating a flooding period of this order is suitable in varietal testing for flooding tolerance. Lower ADH levels in subspecies yanninicum were not evident when the roots were tested after 3 days in anaerobic solution culture.