Comparison of the effect of natural and experimental anoxia on carbohydrate and energy metabolism in Iris pseudacorus rhizomes

Carbohydrate utilization in Iris pseudacorus rhizomes was investigated under natural conditions in the field for a period of one year. The area of study was under flood from mid-December to end of May and wet for the rest of the period of study. Rhizome samples were collected in the wild twice monthly. in order to determine glucose content and amount of reducing and non-reducing sugars in the rhizome core material. For comparison with experimental anoxia, rhizomes were washed and kept under strict anoxia in the dark at +20°C. Carbohydrates were measured in groups as above. The amount of ethanol and the levels, of ATP. ADP and AMP were also measured and adenylate energy charge computed.
Glucose content of the rhizomes was 10 mg g⁻¹ fresh weight in the autumn and decreased during winter to reach ca 5 mg g⁻¹ fresh weight in the spring. Total reducing sugars increased in w inter while the amount of non-reducing sugars increased during early autumn and decreased during winter and spring. Not all non-reducing sugar stores had been used up in the spring when growth was resumed. Under experimental anoxia adenylate energy charge remained relatively high for 30 days (near 0.6 or over) and then dropped quickly to bekm 0.3. indicating death of the tissues. After 30 days under anoxia the amount of ethanol still increased and that of total reducing sugars decreased. The level of non-reducing sugars decreased from 0 to 15 days of anoxia before an increase took place durine the next 20 days.