Anatomical and physiological traits from rice genotypes contrasting to flooding and drought tolerance

Abstract

We present in this document two articles on anatomical, physiological and growth responses of rice (Oryza sativa L.). In the first article, we investigated the effect of drought on photosynthesis, growth and anatomical characteristics of roots and leaves that may potentially contribute to cross-tolerance in rice genotypes contrasting for drought and flood tolerance. When the hypothesis was tested, of the five genotypes studied, only one presented the characteristics necessary to tolerate contrasting environments. This is an important result that enables future genetic studies and the selection of drought and flood-resistant rice plants. The second article addresses characteristics of the root system of rice genotypes, presenting the relationship between ethylene production and roots stressed by water deficit. We evaluated root growth and ethylene production in this organ of different rice genotypes under water restriction and associated these characteristics with root anatomy, allowing us to identify ethylene production as a bioindicator of stress and the characteristics of root tissues as indicators of ethylene production.