Morphological and anatomical aberrations induced by waterlogging in sugarcane

Aim: The present investigation was carried out to study root anatomy of sugarcane cultivars (CoLk 94184 and CoJ64) planted under waterlogged condition through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Methodology: Two sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) cultivars, CoLk 94184 and CoJ 64 were evaluated for changes in root anatomy in response to waterlogging during 2017-2018. For waterlogging treatment, crop was grown in deep plot which was waterlogged upto a depth of 1 m during active grand growth stage (monsoon season) along with untreated control plot. After three months of waterlogging, the plants were uprooted to study the root morphology and anatomy through SEM. Results: Waterlogged plants showed aerial root formation in both the cultivars but number and mass were higher in CoJ64. Aerenchyma was formed in the cortical region of both control and waterlogging roots but the size was relatively increased in waterlogged. Irregular and damaged surface cells with longer root hairs were observed in waterlogging treatment. Waterlogged roots exhibited cell distortion, loss of uniformity in endodermis and pericycle regions and higher number of metaxylem vessels. Interpretation: The study concluded that waterlogging treatment caused structural anomalies and induced anatomical and surface ultra-structural changes in both the cultivars, but the level of deformation was relatively higher in genotype CoJ 64, indicating sensitivity towards waterlogging as compared to cultivar CoLk 94184.