Abstract
During the normal course of development in the root of sand sedge (Carex arenaria), many of the cells in the central cortex degenerate to form an extensive aerenchyma. The epidermis and multi-layered hypodermis become heavily suberized and only remain attached to the stele by a few, thin, radial files of cortical cells that have not autolyzed. These changes make it possible for epidermal/hypodermal sleeves to be isolated so that their permeability can be determined. The coefficient of diffusive permeability for tritiated water is of the order of 20 nm s−1, while the permeability coefficient for self diffusion of labelled phosphate and calcium is approximately 5.0 and 4.0 nm s−1 respectively. These values are approximately 200 (water) and 500 (phosphate and calcium) times lower than similar determinations made on isolated sleeves of onion roots. The outer layers of the mature root ofC. arenaria are thus extremely impermeable: any significant absorptive function has been lost at the expense of a protective role provided by the modified cortex for the vascular stele.
Published Version
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