Effect of anoxia on alpha-amylase induction in maize caryopsis

In the present paper we demonstrate the ability of maize caryopses to produ ce a-amylase as well as other enzymes involved in starch degradation under anoxia. Carbohydrates resulting from starch breakdown allow maize caryopses to avoid sugar starvation. Most interestingly, this correlates well with t he ability of maize caryopses to sustain relatively prolonged anaerobiosis, in agreement with the hypothesis linking carbohydrate availability to anox ia tolerance.