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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Alan Younger
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The greenhouse experiment was a 4 x 2 factorial in a RCB design with four replications. Three flooding treatments were applied at the early vegetative stage (EV), early reproductive stage (ER) and mid reproductive stage (MR). A non-flooded control group was used. Two proposed bioenergy sorghum types studied were sweet sorghum (Wray) and multipurpose sorghum (SP1). The results showed that plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, leaf dry weight, shoot dry weight, primary root length and root dry weight of both cultivars were significantly reduced by flooding at EV and ER. However, there was no significant difference from the control at MR. Nodal root number were restricted when flooding was applied at EV but increased over the control at ER and MR in both cultivars. Root length and root dry weight, developed in water above soil surface, were significantly higher in Wray flooded at ER. In both cultivars, aerenchyma spaces were formed in the nodal and lateral roots of the flooded plants with the significantly highest number, forming during EV. Aerenchyma was more developed in roots, located above the soil, than in those located in the soil. There were more aerenchyma spaces in the sweet sorghum's roots and stalk bases than in the multipurpose sorghum. At harvest, it was found that flooding applied at EV and ER had significantly reduced the stalk yield of both cultivars. The Wray had been the least affected by flooding at MR. These findings suggest that both sorghum types are susceptible to flooding at EV. Judging from the recovery capacity of stem diameter and height at a later growth stage, sweet sorghum was more tolerant to flooding than multipurpose sorghum. Nodal root development and aerenchyma formation in roots and stalk bases may be important acclimation responses to flooding.
Author(s): Promkhambut A, Polthanee A, Akkasaeng C, Younger A
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Australian Journal of Crop Science
Year: 2011
Volume: 5
Issue: 8
Pages: 954-965
Print publication date: 01/08/2011
ISSN (print): 1835-2693
ISSN (electronic): 1835-2707
Publisher: Southern Cross Journals
