不同水稻品系幼苗对砷（As）的耐性、吸收及转运

利用琼脂培养基模拟水稻生长的厌氧环境,研究了As对不同水稻品系幼苗生长的影响以及As在其体内的积累及转运特性.结果表明,不同浓度(0～4.0mg/L)的As对供试水稻品系根部干物质积累无显著影响(P>0.05).杂交稻与糯稻的地上部干物质积累随基质中As浓度的增加呈减小趋势,但低剂量的As(0.5mg/L)促进常规稻的生长.水稻地上部的As积累量随基质中As浓度的升高总体均呈增加趋势.水稻根系对As具有较强的吸收与累积能力.水稻根部As的积累量为156.31～504 03mg/kg,占总As含量的63.40～81.90%,远远高于其地上部As的积累量.相比于其它两个品系,糯稻的生物量积累高,耐性指数较大,根部及地上部对As的积累量较低,因此更适合种植在As污染土壤.     

四种园林植物对土壤镉污染的耐受性

采用模拟Cd污染土壤培养法,测定了Cd胁迫下山矾、桑树、绣线菊、山茶4种园林植物幼苗的生长、生物量变化,根茎叶的Cd含量,光合色素含量与MDA含量,对耐性指数(Ti)、转移系数(TF)、生物富集系数(BCF)进行了评价。结果表明:(1)山矾、桑树、绣线菊和山茶的平均耐性指数分别为93.99、82.33、82.10和87.25;(2)4个树种幼苗根茎叶的Cd含量都随着Cd处理浓度的增加而增加,转移系数值(TF)都小于1,转移能力为山矾山茶绣线菊桑树。对Cd累积能力为山矾山茶桑树绣线菊;山矾和山茶生物量吸收的Cd总量显著高于绣线菊和桑树。(3)Cd处理浓度的不断增加,叶绿素a/叶绿素b比值与对照相比变化不显著,类胡萝卜素的含量持续增加;桑树、山茶、山矾和绣线菊MDA含量分别平均上升为15%、10.17%、9.69%、12.86%。不同Cd浓度下,MDA上升幅度顺序为桑树绣线菊山茶山矾。研究表明山矾具有很高的Cd耐性、转移能力、以及地上部分积累镉的能力,是一种抗Cd污染较好的园林绿化树种。     

高氯酸盐胁迫对水稻生长发育和养分吸收的影响

通过土培盆栽试验,研究了0.2、2.0和4.0mmol/kg 3种浓度下高氯酸盐胁迫对两个水稻品种的生长发育和吸收主要养分元素氮、磷、钾的影响。研究发现:(1)高氯酸盐对水稻生长的抑制程度随高氯酸盐处理浓度的增高而加重,且随着处理时间的延长,水稻的受害症状也越来越明显,到分蘖期时,3个浓度组对赣糯香生长的抑制率分别为3.08%、33.39%和39.03%,对IR65598-112-2生长的抑制率分别为9.18%、21.07%和34.97%。(2)各浓度处理组(赣糯香0.2mmol/kg组除外)都显著抑制了两品种水稻的分蘖。(3)各浓度处理组水稻始穗时间都比对照组晚,其中高浓度处理组晚了1个月。(4)IR65598-112-2对高氯酸盐的胁迫表现出更早的反应和对低浓度污染物的敏感性,而赣糯香表现出相对较强的抗性。(5)高氯酸盐对水稻根部的伤害比对地上部的伤害更严重。(6)高氯酸盐处理减少了水稻各器官的生物量,降低了水稻各器官中养分元素总氮和总磷的总积累量。研究表明,高氯酸盐污染可抑制两品种水稻的生长和分蘖,延迟其发育,降低水稻对养分元素的积累,其植物毒性效应与污染物的浓度、处理的延续时间、水稻品种及不同植物器官都有关系。     

HCO_3~-对不同基因型水稻根生长及养分吸收分配的影响

采用营养液培养法 ,研究了缺Zn敏感 (IR2 6)和耐性水稻品种 (IR8192 31 2 )根生长和养分吸收受HCO-3影响的差异 .结果表明 ,HCO-3( 2 0mmol·L-1)严重抑制敏感品种根系生长 ,特别是在低Zn或缺Zn条件下 ,而对耐性品种影响很小 ,在低Zn水平下 ,对根系生长甚至有轻微的促进作用 .HCO-3不仅抑制敏感品种对Zn的吸收和分配 ,而且也抑制对Cu、Mn和Fe的吸收 ,表明HCO-3对Zn的吸收无专性抑制作用 ,HCO-3抑制敏感品种根系生长可能是其诱发缺Zn的最初作用 .HCO-3处理下 ,耐性品种上位叶和下位叶Zn浓度以及比率高于敏感品种 ,表明耐性品种将Zn从下位叶向上位叶转运的效率高 ,Zn在植物体内的转运能力可能是耐性品种适应石灰性土壤缺Zn的主要机制之一 .     

锌胁迫下湿地植物抗氧化系统反应及锌富集能力

湿地植物作为人工湿地的主要成分之一,在提高湿地处理重金属污染物效率上有着至关重要的作用。通过盆栽试验研究了对照(CK)、600、1200 mg Zn·kg~(-1)3种处理条件下,18种挺水湿地植物的生长状况、Zn耐性指数、叶片可溶性蛋白、抗氧化系统及对Zn的吸收转运能力。结果表明,随着Zn浓度的增加,供试植物的生物量、耐性指数和叶片可溶性蛋白减少,植物地上和地下部分的Zn浓度增加。不同湿地植物Zn耐性指数和Zn富集能力差异显著(P0.05),在600和1200 mg Zn·kg~(-1)条件下,石菖蒲(Acorus tatarinowii)的耐性最高。大部分供试植物地下部分Zn含量显著高于地上部分,根系对Zn有较强的滞留效应。在600 mg Zn·kg~(-1)条件下,大部分供试植物叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)显著增加。研究显示,湿地植物除了通过根系对Zn有较强的滞留作用外,还通过体内的抗氧化系统有效地清除细胞内过多的活性氧,进而缓解过量Zn带来的胁迫。本研究结果为湿地植物修复Zn污染土壤和水体技术提供了有力的理论依据。     

接种AM真菌和施加铁可协同降低水稻砷累积

采用外源添加砷(As)的土培模拟试验探究了接种丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)异形根孢囊霉Rhizophagus irregularis和外源添加铁(Fe)对水稻Oryza sativa根表铁膜形成以及水稻累积砷的影响。结果表明,根表铁膜能够吸附大量的磷和砷。添加砷促进了根表铁膜的形成,而接种AMF后铁膜厚度显著降低。接种AMF改善了植物的磷营养状况,显著提高了水稻根系砷浓度,但降低了地上部砷浓度;砷污染情况下施加铁显著降低了接种处理水稻地上部的砷浓度。接种AMF+施加铁处理降低水稻地上部砷浓度的效果最大。这表明AMF+施加铁可协同抑制水稻地上部砷积累。该研究结果为在高砷背景值土壤中种植粮食作物并保障食品安全提供了一条可供选择的技术途径。     

HCO3-对不同基因型水稻根生长及养分吸收分配的影响

采用营养液培养法,研究了缺Zn敏感(IR26)和耐性水稻品种(IR8192-31-2)根生长和养分吸收受HCO₃^-影响的差异.结果表明,HCO₃^-(20mmol·L^-1)严重抑制敏感品种根系生长,特别是在低Zn或缺Zn条件下,而对耐性品种影响很小,在低Zn水平下,对根系生长甚至有轻微的促进作用.HCO₃^-不仅抑制敏感品种对Zn的吸收和分配,而且也抑制对Cu、Mn和Fe的吸收,表明HCO₃^-对Zn的吸收无专性抑制作用,HCO₃^-抑制敏感品种根系生长可能是其诱发缺Zn的最初作用.NCO₃^-处理下,耐性品种上位叶和下位叶Zn浓度以及比率高于敏感品种,表明耐性品种将Zn从下位叶向上位叶转运的效率高,Zn在植物体内的转运能力可能是耐性品种适应石灰性土壤缺Zn的主要机制之一.     

外源磷对苗期小麦和水稻根际砷形态及其生物有效性的影响

采用土(中度砷污染土)-土根袋培养的方法研究了两个浓度的外源磷(P)对苗期小麦和水稻根际砷(As)形态分布及其生物有效性的影响.结果表明:(1)两种作物生长的土壤中各砷形态的分配比例依次为:结晶铁锰或铁铝水化氧化物结合态(45%～52%)＞无定形和弱结晶铁铝或铁锰水化氧化物结合态(26%～34%)＞专性吸附态(12%～14%)＞残渣态(4%～7%)＞非专性吸附态(0.09%～0.25%).(2)添加外源磷浓度为100 mg·kg-1与不施磷处理相比显著提高了两种作物地上部的生物量(p＜0.01).(3)苗期小麦在添加100 mg·kg-1外源磷时,不仅促进了作物生长而且抑制根中砷向地上部的转运.(4)任何磷处理下,水稻对砷的吸收能力以及由根系向地上部转移能力均高于小麦.因此,在轻中度砷污染土壤上与水稻相比更适宜种植小麦(或其他旱作植物);而在水稻种植季,可以通过添加适量磷肥(100 mg·kg-1)来减弱砷在水稻体内的累积.     

携带空心莲子草DNA片段的水稻导入系耐旱生理研究

以8个导入了空心莲子草DNA的水稻导入系和2个对照品种(原受体6527和巴西陆稻)为材料,采用裂区试验设计,在干旱胁迫条件下测定其剑叶的超氧化物歧化酶、丙二醛、电导率、脯氨酸、叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素含量等生理指标,并进行主成分分析和逐步回归分析.结果表明,导入系H8的产量、综合评价值和耐旱指数明显大于对照,其耐旱性强.主成分分析和最优回归方程分析均表明丙二醛、脯氨酸、叶绿素和电导率等对水稻耐旱性有显著影响,可作为水稻耐旱性生理评价的重要参考指标.     

灌浆期不同时间喷水降温对超级稻“玉香油占”产量和品质的影响

为了探寻可减轻水稻灌浆期高温伤害并能应用于生产中的技术途径,以广东省主推超级稻品种"玉香油占"为材料,于2014年、2015年在华南农业大学农场进行田间试验,在灌浆期设置3个不同时段的喷水处理(S1为11:00—12:00,S2为13:00—14:00,S3为15:00—16:00),以不喷水、湿润水层0~1 cm的稻田为对照(CK),研究了灌浆期不同时间喷水对玉香油占产量和品质的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,3个喷水处理均能改善稻田小气候温湿度,其中S3降温增湿效果最好;喷水降温显著提高了产量及其构成因素中的穗粒数和千粒重(P0.05),其中S1处理产量和穗粒数最高,S2处理结实率增加最多;有效改善了稻米品质,其中垩白率显著降低(P0.05)、垩白度有所降低;显著提高了灌浆速率(P0.05),促进有机物质的积累,增加了千粒重;灌浆期不同时间喷水降温,使过氧化物酶活性显著提高(P0.05),抗逆性增强,协同提高了玉香油占的产量和品质。     

Arsenic accumulation and speciation in rice are affected by root aeration and variation of genotypes

Root aeration, arsenic (As) accumulation, and speciation in rice of 20 different genotypes with regular irrigation of water containing 0.4 mg As l(-1) were investigated. Different genotypes had different root anatomy demonstrated by entire root porosity (ranging from 12.43% to 33.21%), which was significantly correlated with radial oxygen loss (ROL) (R=0.64, P<0.01). Arsenic accumulation differed between genotypes, but there were no significant differences between Indica and Japonica subspecies, as well as paddy and upland rice. Total ROL from entire roots was correlated with metal tolerance (expressed as percentage mean of control straw biomass, R=0.69, P<0.01) among the 20 genotypes; total As concentration (R=-0.67, P<0.01) and inorganic As concentration (R=-0.47, P<0.05) in rice grains of different genotypes were negatively correlated with ROL. There were also significant genotype effects in percentage inorganic As (F=15.8, P<0.001) and percentage cacodylic acid (F=22.1, P<0.001), respectively. Root aeration of different genotypes and variation of genotypes on As accumulation and speciation would be useful for selecting genotypes to grow in areas contaminated by As.     

Do radial oxygen loss and external aeration affect iron plaque formation and arsenic accumulation and speciation in rice?

Hydroponic experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of radial oxygen loss (ROL) and external aeration on iron (Fe) plaque formation, and arsenic (As) accumulation and speciation in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The data showed that there were significant correlations between ROL and Fe concentrations in Fe plaque produced on different genotypes of rice. There were also significant differences in the amounts of Fe plaque formed between different genotypes in different positions of roots and under different aeration conditions (aerated, normal, and stagnant treatments). In aerated treatments, rice tended to have a higher Fe plaque formation than in a stagnant solution, with the greatest formation at the root tip decreasing with increasing distances away, in accordance with a trend of spatial ROL. Genotypes with higher rates of ROL induced higher degrees of Fe plaque formation. Plaques sequestered As on rice roots, with arsenate almost double that with arsenite, leading to decreased As accumulation in both roots and shoots. The major As species detected in roots and shoots was arsenite, ranging from 34 to 78% of the total As in the different treatments and genotypes. These results contribute to our understanding of genotypic differences in As uptake by rice and the mechanisms causing rice genotypes with higher ROL to show lower overall As accumulation.     

The barrier to radial oxygen loss from roots of rice (Oryza sativa L.) is induced by growth in stagnant solution

The present report describes experiments in which the effects of growth in aerated and stagnant nutrient solutions on adventitious root porosities and patterns of radial O2 loss (ROL) from the roots of four genotypes of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were evaluated. The genotypes studied are usually cultivated in farming systems which differ markedly in their degree of soil waterlogging and flooding. Rice genotypes were found to differ in the constitutive porosity (% gas space) of their adventitious roots when grown in aerated solutions (lowest was 16%, highest was 30%), and the roots grown in stagnant conditions had porosities between 28% and 38%. ROL from the adventitious roots raised in aerated solution increased with distance behind the tip in three of the four genotypes; whereas for roots raised in stagnant solution, ROL decreased with distance behind the tip which is indicative of a high resistance to diffusion between the aerenchyma and external medium. For example, at 35 mm behind the root tip the ROL from roots of the 'deepwater' cultivar grown in stagnant conditions was 0.7% of the rate of its aerated roots, for the 'lowland' cultivar it was 5.6%, and for one of the 'upland' cultivars it was 43.6%. Thus, the barrier to ROL from the adventitious roots in three of the four genotypes was induced by growth in stagnant nutrient solution. A low rate of ROL from the basal zones of roots in an O2-free environment is of adaptative value since longitudinal diffusion of O2 to the root apex would be enhanced which, in turn, enables greater penetration of roots into anaerobic soils.     

Root-induced changes in radial oxygen loss, rhizosphere oxygen profile, and nitrification of two rice cultivars in Chinese red soil regions

Aims

To evaluate the external and internal morphological differences of roots that might influence rice root radial oxygen loss (ROL) and the corresponding rhizosphere nitrification activity, growth characteristics and nitrogen nutrition of rice.

Methods

The root ROL and rhizosphere oxygen profile were determined using a miniaturised Clark-type oxygen microelectrode system, and the rhizosphere nitrification activity was studied with a short-term nitrification activity assay.

Results

The rice biomass, nitrogen accumulation and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of ZH (high yield) were significantly higher than those of HS (low yield). The root biomass, number, diameter and porosity of ZH were also much greater than those of HS. The inner and surface oxygen concentrations of the root of ZH were significantly higher than those of HS. The order of paddy soil oxygen penetration depth was ZH?>?HS?>?CK, and the order of the oxygen concentrations detected in the water layer and rhizosphere soil was the same. The rhizosphere nitrification activity and nitrate concentration of ZH were significantly higher than those of HS.

Conclusions

More porous and thicker roots improved the individual root ROL, and more adventitious root numbers enhanced the entire plant ROL and correspondingly improved the rhizosphere nitrification activity, which might influence the growth and nitrogen nutrition of rice.     

Aerenchyma and an Inducible Barrier to Radial Oxygen Loss Facilitate Root Aeration in Upland, Paddy and Deep-water Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The present study evaluated waterlogging tolerance, root porosityand radial O₂ loss (ROL) from the adventitious roots, of sevenupland, three paddy, and two deep-water genotypes of rice (Oryzasativa L.). Upland types, with the exception of one genotype,were as tolerant of 30 d soil waterlogging as the paddyand deep-water types. In all but one of the 12 genotypes, thenumber of adventitious roots per stem increased for plants grownin waterlogged, compared with drained, soil. When grown in stagnantdeoxygenated nutrient solution, genotypic variation was evidentfor root porosity and rates of ROL, but there was no overalldifference between plants from the three cultural types. Adventitiousroot porosity increased from 20–26 % for plants grownin aerated solution to 29–41 % for plants grown instagnant solution. Growth in stagnant solution also induceda ‘tight’ barrier to ROL in the basal regions ofadventitious roots of five of the seven upland types, all threepaddy types, and the two deep-water types. The enhanced porosityprovided a low resistance pathway for O₂ movement to the roottip, and the barrier to ROL in basal zones would have furtherenhanced longitudinal O₂ diffusion towards the apex, by diminishinglosses to the rhizosphere. The plasticity in root physiology,as described above, presumably contributes to the ability ofrice to grow in diverse environments that differ markedly insoil waterlogging, such as drained upland soils as well as waterloggedpaddy fields.     

水稻根系通气组织与根系泌氧及根际硝化作用的关系

通过根箱土培试验研究了不同产量籼稻品种中旱22(ZH,高产品种)及禾盛10号(HS,低产品种)苗期根系生长、通气组织发育、根系径向泌氧量(radial oxygen loss,ROL)以及根表和根际土壤硝化强度差异。结果表明,除水稻播种40 d时二者根数量和根干重无显著差异外,ZH根直径、根数量和根干重均显著高于HS,二者差异尤其表现在根系生物量差异。两个水稻品种在距根尖20 mm处均可见辐射状通气组织,ZH皮层薄壁细胞已经完全崩溃形成连接中柱和外皮层的纵向气腔,而HS皮层薄壁细胞未发生完全离解,但仍能观察到明显的连接中柱和外皮层的纵向气腔的形成。同时ZH外皮层厚壁细胞体积较小,排列紧密,细胞壁增厚程度大;而HS外皮层厚壁细胞体积相对较大,排列疏松,细胞壁增厚程度相对较小。表明高产品种通气组织发育比低产品种更加完善,表现为ZH根孔隙度(porosity of root,POR)显著高于HS,且高产品种对水稻根系ROL的屏蔽作用较低产品种更强,为根系提供更充足的氧气供应,促进根系生长。除了水稻播种后40 d时ZH和HS单根ROL无显著差异外(P<0.05),ZH单株、单位重量以及单根ROL均显著高于HS(P<0.01)。两个水稻品种硝化强度均表现为根际土壤显著高于根表土壤 (P<0.01),前者大约是后者的3-6倍。两个品种根表土壤硝化强度无显著差异,而ZH根际土壤硝化强度均显著高于HS。相关性分析结果表明水稻根际土壤硝化强度和整株水稻ROL呈极显著正相关关系(r=0.803,P<0.01),和水稻POR也呈现极显著正相关关系(r=0.808,P<0.01),同时和根系直径、数量和干重均呈极显著正相关关系(P<0.01)。而根表土壤硝化强度和以上指标均无相关关系。由于硝化作用是好氧过程,因此高产品种由于根系发达,通气组织发育好,相应ROL也较大,造成根际土壤氧气含量高,从而可能导致根际土壤硝化强度显著高于低产品种。     

Lead,zinc and iron (Fe2+) tolerances in wetland plants and relation to root anatomy and spatial pattern of ROL

Metal (Pb, Zn and Fe²⁺) tolerances, root anatomy and profile of radial oxygen loss (ROL) along the root (i.e., spatial pattern of ROL) were studied in 10 emergent wetland plants. The species studied could be classified into three groups. Group I included Alternanthera philoxeroides, Beckmannia syzigachne, Oenanthe javanica and Polypogon fugax, with high ROL along the whole length of root (‘partial barrier’ to ROL). Group II included Cyperus flabelliformis, Cyperus malaccensis, Juncus effusus, Leersia hexandra and Panicum paludosum, ROL of which was remarkably high just behind the root apex, but decreased significantly at relatively basal regions (‘tight barrier’ to ROL). Group III consisted of only Neyraudia reynaudiana, with extremely low ROL along the length of root. The results indicated that metal tolerance in wetland plants was related to root anatomy and spatial pattern of ROL. Co-evolution of metal (Fe and Zn) tolerance and flood tolerance possibly developed in wetland plants since species showing a ‘tight barrier’ to ROL (a common trait of flood-tolerant species) in basal root zones had higher Fe and Zn tolerances than those showing a ‘partial barrier’. Root anatomy such as lignin and suberin deposition contributed to a ‘tight barrier’ in root and conferred to exclusion ability in tolerant species.     

Fate of oxygen losses from Typha domingensis (Typhaceae) and Cladium jamaicense (Cyperaceae) and consequences for root metabolism

The objective of this work was to determine whether radial oxygen loss (ROL) from roots of Typha domingensis and Cladium jamaicense creates an internal oxygen deficiency or, conversely, indicates adequate internal aeration and leakage of excess oxygen to the rhizosphere. Methylene blue in agar was used to visualize the pattern of ROL from roots, and oxidation of a titanium-citrate solution was used to quantify rates of oxygen leakage. Typha's roots had a higher porosity than Cladium's and responded to flooding treatment by increasing cortical air space, particularly near the root tips. A greater oxygen release, which occurred along the subapical root axis, and an increase in rhizosphere redox potential (E(h)) over time were associated with the well-developed aerenchyma system in Typha. Typha roots, regardless of oxygen release pattern, showed low or undetectable alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity or ethanol concentrations, indicating that ROL did not cause internal deficiencies. Cladium roots also released oxygen, but this loss primarily occurred at the root tips and was accompanied by increased root ADH activity and ethanol concentrations. These results support the hypothesis that oxygen release by Cladium is accompanied by internal deficiencies of oxygen sufficient to stimulate alcoholic fermentation and helps explain Cladium's lesser flood tolerance in comparison with Typha.     

New Insights into How Increases in Fertility Improve the Growth of Rice at the Seedling Stage in Red Soil Regions of Subtropical China

The differences in rhizosphere nitrification activities between high- and low- fertility soils appear to be related to differences in dissolved oxygen concentrations in the soil, implying a relationship to differences in the radial oxygen loss (ROL) of rice roots in these soils. A miniaturised Clark-type oxygen microelectrode system was used to determine rice root ROL and the rhizosphere oxygen profile, and rhizosphere nitrification activity was studied using a short-term nitrification activity assay. Rice planting significantly altered the oxygen cycling in the water-soil system due to rice root ROL. Although the oxygen content in control high-fertility soil (without rice plants) was lower than that in control low-fertility soil, high rice root ROL significantly improved the rhizosphere oxygen concentration in the high-fertility soil. High soil fertility improved the rice root growth and root porosity as well as rice root ROL, resulting in enhanced rhizosphere nitrification. High fertility also increased the content of nitrification-induced nitrate in the rhizosphere, resulting in enhanced ammonium uptake and assimilation in the rice. Although high ammonium pools in the high-fertility soil increased rhizosphere nitrification, rice root ROL might also contribute to rhizosphere nitrification improvement. This study provides new insights into the reasons that an increase in soil fertility may enhance the growth of rice. Our results suggest that an amendment of the fertiliser used in nutrient- and nitrification-poor paddy soils in the red soil regions of China may significantly promote rice growth and rice N nutrition.     

Morphological and physiological responses of rice (Oryza sativa) to limited phosphorus supply in aerated and stagnant solution culture

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Rain-fed lowland rice commonly encounters stresses from fluctuating water regimes and nutrient deficiency. Roots have to acquire both oxygen and nutrients under adverse conditions while also acclimating to changes in soil-water regime. This study assessed responses of rice roots to low phosphorus supply in aerated and stagnant nutrient solution. METHODS: Rice (Oryza sativa 'Amaroo') was grown in aerated solution with high P (200 micro m) for 14 d, then transferred to high or low (1.6 micro m) P supply in aerated or stagnant solution for up to 8 d. KEY RESULTS: After only 1 d in stagnant conditions, root radial oxygen loss (ROL) had decreased by 90 % in subapical zones, whereas near the tip ROL was maintained. After 4 d in stagnant conditions, maximum root length was 11 % less, and after 8 d, shoot growth was 25 % less, compared with plants in aerated solution. The plants in stagnant solution had up to 19 % more adventitious roots, 24 % greater root porosity and 26 % higher root/shoot ratio. Rice in low P supply had fewer tillers in both stagnant and aerated conditions. After 1-2 d in stagnant solution, relative P uptake declined, especially at low P supply. Aerated roots at low P supply maintained relative P uptake for 4 d, after which uptake decreased to the same levels as in stagnant solution. CONCLUSIONS: Roots responded rapidly to oxygen deficiency with decreased ROL in subapical zones within 1-2 d, indicating induction of a barrier to ROL, and these changes in ROL occurred at least 2 d before any changes in root morphology, porosity or anatomy were evident. Relative P uptake also decreased under oxygen deficiency, showing that a sudden decline in root-zone oxygen adversely affects P nutrition of rice.