Role of Cellulase in Aerenchyma Development in Sunflower

A hypothesis that ethylene causes aerenchyma development in waterlogged plants through increased cellulase activity was tested with sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. Treatment with commercial cellulase induced aerenchyma development in sunflower stem sections. Some of the cellulase‐treated cortical cells enlarged radially and some disintegrated, leading to intercellular space. Cell disintegration started with progressive plasmolysis and severe plasmolysis was associated with or was apparently followed by cell wall breakdown. Localized stem treatment of an intact sunflower with ethylene increased cellulase activity in that part of the stem. Localized stem treatment of an intact sunflower with a water jacket increased cellulase activity in that part of the stem. When the lower part of the sunflower was waterlogged, the cellulase activity in the waterlogged stem increased. Present and earlier results suggest that aerenchyma development is a plant adaptation to waterlogging conditions. The deficiency of oxygen in a waterlogged plant triggers the anaerobic stimulation of ethylene production, which causes an increase in cellulase activity leading to aerenchyma development and enhancing the transport of oxygen to the roots. It is proposed that there is competition between neighboring cortical cells for water after an increase in cell wall plasticity by the action of cellulase. The competition causes progressive plasmolysis and eventual disintegration of weaker cells.