Ethanol Concentration in Tomato Plants during Soil Flooding¹

Abstract

Abstract Tomato plants were studied to assess the potential value of ethanol accumulation in plant tissue as a measure of O 2 stress resulting from short periods of soil flooding. Ethanol concentration in xylem exudate was markedly associated with air temperature, and to a lesser extent with light intensity and soil temperature under conditions of flooding. Field flooding results agreed closely with simulated environments. A small amount of ethanol was eliminated by transpiration from flooded tomato plants under environmental conditions that favored accumulation. A slightly higher amount of ethanol was excreted from the roots. Ethanol in tomato plant samples appeared to indicate the intensity of O 2 deficiency during flooding by reflecting both soil O 2 supply and environmental effects, and could serve as a useful indicator in relating tomato plant injury to flooded conditions.