Demonstration of osmotically dependent promotion of aerenchyma formation at different levels in the primary roots of rice using a 'sandwich' method and X-ray computed tomography.

Background And Aims: The effect of environmental factors on the regulation of aerenchyma formation in rice roots has been discussed for a long time, because aerenchyma is constitutively formed under aerated conditions. To elucidate this problem, a unique method has been developed that enables sensitive detection of differences in the development of aerenchyma under two different environmental conditions. The method is tested to determine whether aerenchyma development in rice roots is affected by osmotic stress.