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

Abstract
When 3 d old aerobic rice seedlings are subjected to 48 h of anaerobiosis a strong alcoholic fermentation system is induced which operates at a constant rate during the treatment. Ethanol accumulates in seedling tissues during the first hours of 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 remaining 98% is found in the growth medium. Concomitant effects of anaerobiosis on seedling growth, consumption of endosperm reserves, and variations in the level of activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and soluble proteins are reported.