The Effects of Water Deficits on Slices of Beetroot and Potato Tissue:3

The effects of osmotically induced water deficits on the respiration, permeability, and ultra-structure of storage tissue are described. As the water potential was lowered respiration in both aged beetroot and potato discs was retarded with a concomitant rise in respiratory quotient. On return to water, the degree of recovery of the oxygen uptake appeared to be a function of the number of cells plasmolysed. The permeability data corroborated other evidence that membrane damage resulted when cells were plasmolysed. Deplasmolysis resulted in further and more extensive injury. Ultra-structural studies confirmed these findings and suggested that plasmolysis also affected mitochondrial structure.