Tomato ‘Water Plant’ Developing New Roots!

This tomato plant has been surviving with roots in the fish tank for over one week. Usual problem for land plants with waterlogging is root rot. But this tomato plant has started developing plenty of new roots. The stem of tomato plants is hairy and these hairs can develop into roots when they come in contact with soil. Never thought that the same phenomenon will occur when the hairy stem comes in contact with water as well. The new roots can be seen sprouting from the submerged portion of stem just below the water level.

The lowermost roots are the ones which were there when the plant was transferred to the fish pond. My experiment is to see how long this tomato plant will survive in a fish pond. If it does survive long, it will be useful in removing excess nitrates in the fish tank arising from degradation of fish waste. I am already growing Money Plant here, which I am sure will survive, from experience in childhood days. In fact the Money Plant in this tank is nearly fully submerged and continuing to thrive. True water plants seen are hydrilla.