Effect of Anaerobiosis on Rice Seedlings: Growth, Metabolic Rate, and Fate of Fermentation Products

When 3 d old aerobic rice seedlings are subjected to 48 h ofanaerobiosis a strong alcoholic fermentation system is inducedwhich operates at a constant rate during the treatment. Ethanol accumulates in seedling tissues during the first hoursof anaerobiosis to reach a limit value which is maintained thereafter.Of the total ethanol production during the anaerobic treatment,only 2% is accounted for by ethanol stored in tissues, the remaining98% is found in the growth medium. Concomitant effects of anaerobiosis on seedling growth, consumptionof endosperm reserves, and variations in the level of activityof alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and soluble proteins are reported.