aerenchymabearing

Aerenchyma is a specialized plant tissue characterized by large intercellular air spaces. Plants that bear aerenchyma tissue are often adapted to waterlogged or anaerobic environments. This tissue plays a crucial role in facilitating gas exchange within the plant, particularly oxygen transport from aerial parts to submerged or root tissues where oxygen is scarce. The large air spaces are formed either through programmed cell death (lysigenous formation) or by the separation of cells (schizogenous formation).

The presence of aerenchyma is a significant adaptation for survival in environments such as swamps, marshes, and rice paddies. It allows plants to maintain aerobic respiration in their roots and other submerged organs, even when the surrounding soil or water is oxygen-depleted. This internal aeration system is vital for preventing root rot and ensuring the plant's overall health and growth. Many aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, including rice (Oryza sativa), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), and various species of Juncus and Carex, exhibit well-developed aerenchyma. The extent and structure of aerenchyma can vary between species and can also be influenced by environmental conditions, with increased aerenchyma formation often observed under hypoxic stress.