Differential responses of aquatic and aerobic forms of Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. and E. colona (L.) Link. by morpho-physiological and molecular analysis

Echinochloa crus-galli and E. colona are serious weeds around the world. Morphological and biochemical features of aquatic and aerobic forms of both species were investigated experimentally by transplanting the seedlings reciprocally between water-saturated and aerobic soils (70% field capacity). When the plants were grown in water-saturated soil, a significant decrease in tiller height was observed in E. crus-galli, but not in E. colona. Upon growing the plants in aerobic soil, internode length and spike dry weight increased significantly in E. crus-galli, but decreased significantly in E. colona. Growth under aerobic condition caused a significant increase in PEPC/Rubisco ratio, but a significant decrease was observed under water-saturated conditions. When E. crus-galli was transplanted in aerobic soil, several forms of peroxidase were upregulated. Contrarily, in E. colona peroxidase isoforms did not respond to habitat change. Gene expression of ADH in E. colona was constitutive at a fairly high level under native habitats then enhanced with reversing habitat that caused anoxic and mild drought conditions. Both species tend to grow faster under aerobic conditions by modifying the photosynthetic machinery and capacity of scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, ADH appears to play a role in supporting growth under water-saturated conditions.