Plants planted in saturated soil may:

Plants planted in saturated soil may:

• A. Grow larger leaves
• B. Die due to lack of oxygen
• C. Become more drought-tolerant
• D. Improve root depth

Answer: (B)

When soil is saturated, the air spaces in the soil fill with water, leaving little oxygen for the roots. Roots need oxygen to respire and produce the energy necessary to take up water and nutrients and to grow. Without enough oxygen, root cells can’t function properly and begin to die, so the plant can’t absorb what it needs from the soil and will wilt and ultimately die. That’s why the most accurate outcome is death from oxygen deprivation. In contrast, larger leaves, greater drought tolerance, or deeper roots aren’t products of saturated soil; in fact, root growth is typically hindered and overall plant health declines under waterlogged conditions.

When soil is saturated, the air spaces in the soil fill with water, leaving little oxygen for the roots. Roots need oxygen to respire and produce the energy necessary to take up water and nutrients and to grow. Without enough oxygen, root cells can’t function properly and begin to die, so the plant can’t absorb what it needs from the soil and will wilt and ultimately die. That’s why the most accurate outcome is death from oxygen deprivation. In contrast, larger leaves, greater drought tolerance, or deeper roots aren’t products of saturated soil; in fact, root growth is typically hindered and overall plant health declines under waterlogged conditions.