Roots to the Rescue: Adventitious Roots Sustain Photosynthesis Resumption in Post-Flooded Tomato Plants

Abstract

Our research examined the impact of flooding-induced adventitious roots formed at the base of stems on tomato plants´ recovery from partial submergence. We aimed to ascertain whether the stimulation of adventitious root development by hilling would improve the physiological parameters of post-flooding plants. Our results indicated that plants underwent a substantial decrease in biomass due to flooding stress; however, those subjected to hilling treatment displayed a prompt root growth recovery, attaining a root biomass comparable to that of control plants within three days post-flooding. Nitrogen concentration in leaves recovered more rapidly in hilled plants, suggesting an expedited restoration of root absorption capability. Moreover, hilled plants exhibited a more rapid recovery of leaf gas exchange, carbon assimilation, and photochemical efficiency. In addition, a positive correlation was found between the development of adventitious roots and shoot biomass, indicating that rapid root growth in hilled plants enhances above-ground growth. These findings underscore the significance of root regeneration in the recovery of tomato plants after floods since fostering the development of stem-borne adventitious roots enhances photosynthesis and biomass accumulation.