The Effect of a Mutation Causing Alcohol Dehydrogenase Deficiency on Flooding Tolerance in Barley

Summary Adh1‐M9 mutant barley plants lack a functional ADH1 gene product. The effect of this deficiency in alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity on flooding tolerance is investigated by comparing the behaviour of mutant and wild‐type plants in flooded conditions. It is concluded that there is a specific requirement for a functional ADH1 polypeptide in the immersed seed but not at later stages of development. The significance of these findings is discussed with respect to current theories of flooding tolerance.