Salinity resistance in Zea mays: fluxes of potassium, sodium and chloride, cytoplasmic concentrations and microsomal membrane lipids

Abstract Cytoplasmic concentrations, fluxes of K⁺, Na⁺ and Cl and microsomal membrane lipids were investigated in a salt-sensitive and salt-resistant variety of Zea mays. The salt resistance of Protador relative to LG_H (salt-sensitive) appears to be related to higher K⁺ fluxes and cytoplasmic concentrations, and lower Na⁺ and Cl fluxes and cytoplasmic concentrations, when grown in NaCl. There were no apparent differences in the simple chemical composition of root microsomal membrane lipids between the two varicties, neither were these affected by salt.     

Effects of external NaCl on the growth of Atriplex amnicola and the ion relations and carbohydrate status of the leaves

Abstract Atriplex amnicola, was grown in nutrient solution cultures with concentrations of NaCl up to 750 mol m^?3. The growth optimum was at 25–50 mol m^?3 NaCl and growth was 10–15% of that value at 750 mol m^?3 NaCl. Sodium chloride at 200 mol m^?3 and higher reduced the rate of leaf extension and increased the time taken for a leaf to reach its maximal length. Concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺ and Mg²⁺ in leaves of different ages were investigated for plants grown at 25, 200 and 400 mol m^?3 NaCl. Although leaves of plants grown at 200 and 400 mol m^?3 NaCl had high Na⁺ concentrations at young developmental stages, much of this Na⁺ was located in the salt bladders. Leaves excluding bladders had low Na⁺ concentrations when young, but very high in Na⁺ when old. In contrast to Na⁺, K⁺ concentrations were similar in bladders and leaves excluding bladders. Concentrations of K⁺ were higher in the rapidly expanding than in the old leaves. At 400 mol m^?3 NaCl, the K⁺:Na⁺ ratios of the leaves excluding bladders were 0.4–0.6 and 0.1 for rapidly expanding and oldest leaves, respectively. The Na⁺ content in moles per leaf, excluding bladders, increased linearly with the age of the leaves; concurrent increases in succulence were closely correlated with the Na ⁺ concentration in the leaves excluding the bladders. Soluble sugars and starch in leaves, stems and buds were determined at dusk and dawn. There was a pronounced diurnal fluctation in concentrations of carbohydrates. During the night, most plant parts showed large decreases in starch and sugar. Concentrations of carbohydrates in most plant organs were similar for plants grown at 25 and 400 mol m^?3 NaCl. One notable exception was buds at dusk, where sugar and starch concentrations were 30–35% less in plants grown at 400 mol m^?3 NaCl than in plants grown at 25 mol m^?3 NaCl. The data indicate that the growth of A. amnicola at 400 mol m^?3 NaCl is not limited by the availability of photosynthate in the plant as a whole. However, there could have been a growth limitation due to inadequate organic solutes for osmotic regulation.     

Salt-Induced Hypodermal Transfer Cells in Roots of Prosopis farcta and Ion Distribution within Young Plants

Prosopis farcta was grown on hydroculture with additions of 0.5, 10, 50, and 100 mM NaCl and without salt treatment. In plants from a 0.5 mM NaCl treatment, Cl^? was taken up into stems and leaves, but Na⁺ was withheld from the shoot. At 10 mM NaCl, shoot K⁺ concentration was below that of the control; Na⁺ and Cl^? were taken up to stems and cotyledons in nearly equimolar amounts. However, in the leaves, Na⁺ concentrations were only half of those of Cl^?. With increasing salt stress, Na⁺ and Cl^? were transported to the shoot, but kept at relatively low levels in the roots. Na⁺/ K⁺ ratios in roots did not increase proportionally to those in the solution. At an external Na⁺/K⁺ of > 5 and a root Na⁺/K⁺ of >1 (10 mM NaCl treatment), K⁺ selectivity was induced which rose exponentially with increasing salt stress; and cell wall protuberances were discovered in the hypodermis at the zone of side root formation. These transfer cells were found neither in roots from the 0.5 mM NaCl treatment nor in the controls. Their possible role in the Na⁺/K⁺ selectivity of the roots of Prosopis farcta is discussed.     

Combination Effect of NaCl Salinity and Nitrogen Form on Mineral Composition of Sunflower Plants

The effect of two N-forms (NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^–) and NaCl on pattern of accumulation of some essential inorganic nutrients was examined in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cv. Hisun 33. Eight-day-old plants of were subjected for 21 d to Hoagland's nutrient solution containing 8 mM N as NH₄ ⁺ or NO₃ ^·, and salinized with and addition of NaCl to the growth medium had no significant effect on total leaf N. However, root N of NH₄-supplied plants decreased significantly with increase in NaCl concentration, whereas that of NO₃-supplied plants remained unaffected. There was no significant effect of NaCl on leaf or root P, but the NO₃-supplied plants had significa concentration of leaf P than that of NH₄-supplied plants at varying salt treatments. Salinity of the rooting med did not show any significant effect on Na⁺ concentrations of leaves or roots of plants subjected to two differen N. NH₄-treated plants generally had greater concentrations of Cl^– in leaves and roots and lower K⁺ content in leaves than NO₃-supplied plants. Ca²⁺ concentrations of leaves and roots and Mg²⁺ concentrations of leaves decreased in NH₄-supplied plants due to NaCl, but they remained unaffected in NO₃-treated plants.     

Substitution of Na+ by K+ in Tissues and Root Vacuoles of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Aramir)

The aim of this paper was to investigate whether Na⁺ accumulated in the vacuoles of barley roots can be replaced by K⁺, or else remain irreversibly trapped.Barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Aramir) were grown for 2 days on nutrient solutions and then salinized over 24 h by a linear increase in NaCl concentration (50 mol · m⁻³). NaCl was replaced by an equimolar concentration of KCl and 1 day later the KCl concentration was gradually decreased over 23 hours. After this the plants were grown for 2 further days on basic nutrient solution. Plant material was harvested at each experimental step in order to measure plant growth and K⁺ and Na⁺ concentrations in vacuoles and tissues.The results from quantitated, energy dispersive X-ray analyses on frozen, hydrated vacuoles of the rhizodermls and 3 subsequent cortical cell rows, point to a proportional replacement of K⁺ by Na⁺ after NaCl stress. A replacement of Na⁺ by K⁺ was clearly found in the rhizodermal vacuoles after KCl treatment. Flame emission spectrometric data from corresponding root segments support these results.     

Effects of NaCl on ion relations and carbohydrate status of roots and on osmotic regulation of roots and shoots of Atriplex amnicola

Abstract Atriplex amnicola was grown at 25, 200 or 400 mol m³ NaCl. Root tissues at different stages of development were investigated for concentrations of K⁺, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺, and in some cases for Cl^?. Sugar and starch concentrations were measured for plants grown at 25 or 400 mol m³ NaCl. In the ‘slightly vaeuolated’ root tips, Na⁺ was only 40 mol m^?3 at an external concentration of 400 mol m^?3 NaCl. The concentrations of K⁺ were not affected substantially by external NaCl between 25 mol m^?3 and 400 mol m^?3. The ‘highly vacuolated’ root tissues had substantially higher concentrations of K⁺, Na⁺ and Cl^? in plants grown at 200 and 400 mol m ³ NaCl than in plants grown at 25 mol m^?3 NaCl. Concentrations of Cr and of the sum of the cations in recently expanded tissue were similar to those in the bulk of the roots, consisting mainly of old cells. However, the K⁺: Na⁺ decreased with age; at 400 mol m^?3 external NaCl with a K⁺: Na⁺ of 0.012, the K⁺: Na⁺ in recently expanded 12 mm root tips was as high as 1.6, compared with 0.7 for the bulk of the roots. These ion data were used to estimate cytoplasmic and vacuolar concentrations of K⁺ and Na ⁺. Such calculations indicated that between 25 mol m³ and 400 mol m^?3 external NaCl the concentration of the sum of (Na⁺+K⁺) in the cytoplasm was maintained at about 180–200 mol m^?3 (cell water basis). In contrast, the (Na⁺+ K⁺) concentration in the vacuole was 170 mol m^?3 for plants grown at 25 mol m^?3 NaCl and 420 mol 400 mol m^?3 NaCl. The expanding root (issues exhibited greatly decreased soluble sugars and starch between dusk and dawn. Ai both times, sugar and starch concentrations in these tissues were 2.5–4.0 times greater in plants grown at 400 mol m^?3 NaCl compared with plants grown at 25 mol m^?3 NaCl. In contrast, carbohydrate concentrations in expanded root tissues were very similar at 25 and 400 mol m^?3 and showed little diurnal fluctuation. This paper considers the causes for the slower growth of A. amnicola at 400 than at 25 mol m”³ NaCl, using the data for the roots described here, and those for the shoots presented in the preceding paper (Aslam et al., 1986). There is no support for possible adverse effects by high internal ion concentrations. Instead, there may be deficiencies in supply of organic solutes for osmotic regulation; during part of the night a limited supply of such solutes may well restrict the rate of expansion of cells in plants growing at 400 mol m^?3 NaCl. There is insufficient evidence to decide whether this limitation in the expanding tissues is particularly prominent for the roots or for the shoots.     

Contribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glomus intraradices</Emphasis> inoculation to nutrient acquisition and mitigation of ionic imbalance in NaCl-stressed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trigonella foenum-graecum</Emphasis>

The study aimed to investigate the effects of an AM fungus (Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith) on mineral acquisition in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) plants under different levels of salinity. Mycorrhizal (M) and non-mycorrhizal (NM) fenugreek plants were subjected to four levels of NaCl salinity (0, 50, 100, and 200 mM NaCl). Plant tissues were analyzed for different mineral nutrients. Leaf senescence (chlorophyll concentration and membrane permeability) and lipid peroxidation were also assessed. Under salt stress, M plants showed better growth, lower leaf senescence, and decreased lipid peroxidation as compared to NM plants. Salt stress adversely affected root nodulation and uptake of NPK. This effect was attenuated in mycorrhizal plants. Presence of the AM fungus prevented excess uptake of Na⁺ with increase in NaCl in the soil. It also imparted a regulatory effect on the translocation of Na⁺ ions to shoots thereby maintaining lower Na⁺ shoot:root ratios as compared to NM plants. Mycorrhizal colonization helped the host plant to overcome Na⁺-induced Ca²⁺ and K⁺ deficiencies. M plants maintained favorable K⁺:Na⁺, Ca²⁺:Na⁺, and Ca²⁺:Mg²⁺ ratios in their tissues. Concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Zn²⁺ decreased with increase in intensity of salinity stress. However, at each NaCl level, M plants had higher concentration of Cu, Fe, Mn²⁺, and Zn²⁺ as compared to NM plants. M plants showed reduced electrolyte leakage in leaves as compared to NM plants. The study suggests that AM fungi contribute to alleviation of salt stress by mitigation of NaCl-induced ionic imbalance thus maintaining a favorable nutrient profile and integrity of the plasma membrane.     

Structural and Functional State of Thylakoids in a Halophyte Suaeda altissima before and after Disturbance of Salt–Water Balance by Extremely High Concentrations of NaCl

Halophyte plants Suaeda altissima L. were grown in water culture at different concentrations of NaCl in the medium, and their leaves were sampled to examine the ultrastructure of chloroplasts. In parallel tests, the functional state of chloroplasts was assessed from parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence. In addition the effects of NaCl on plant growth and on the contents of Na⁺, K⁺, and water in organs of S. altissima were investigated. At a wide range of external salt concentrations (0–750 mM NaCl), S. altissima plants retained the chloroplast ultrastructure and photosynthetic function in an intact condition. The impairment of thylakoid ultrastructure and the accompanying increase in nonphotochemical quenching of excited states of chlorophyll was only observed at an extremely high concentration of NaCl in the medium (1 M) that led to disruption of ionic homeostasis and lowered water content in tissues.     

披针叶黄华试管苗适应盐胁迫的渗透调节机制

以披针叶黄华(Thermopsis lanceolata)试管苗为材料,通过组培方法研究其在0、0.2%、0.4%、0.6%、0.8%和1.0%NaCl和Na2SO4胁迫30d后的生长、有机渗透调节物质和无机渗透调节物质(Na+、K+和Ca2+)含量的变化,以探讨其耐盐性机制。结果显示:(1)随NaCl和Na2SO4胁迫浓度的增加,披针叶黄华试管苗叶片脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量均显著持续增加,且NaCl胁迫下脯氨酸上升的幅度均大于相同浓度Na2SO4胁迫下的增幅,而可溶性糖上升的幅度却小于相同浓度Na2SO4胁迫下的幅度;可溶性蛋白含量随NaCl浓度的增大呈先升高后降低的趋势,但随Na2SO4浓度的增加呈持续上升的趋势。(2)随NaCl和Na2SO4浓度的增加,披针叶黄华试管苗Na+含量呈增加趋势且各处理均显著高于对照,Ca2+含量和叶片K+含量却呈逐渐减少趋势且各处理均显著低于对照,而根系K+含量呈先降后升的趋势;Na2SO4胁迫下披针叶黄华试管苗叶片Na+含量上升幅度以及K+和Ca2+含量下降幅度均明显低于相同浓度NaCl胁迫组;而Na+/K+和Na+/Ca2+比值随NaCl和Na2SO4浓度增加而升高;NaCl胁迫下,叶片Na+/K+和Na+/Ca2+高于相同浓度Na2SO4胁迫下的比值,而根系Na+/K+和Na+/Ca2+却低于相同浓度Na2SO4胁迫下的比值。研究表明,盐胁迫下,披针叶黄华试管苗通过抑制叶片中Na+积累并增加可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量,在根系中维持较高K+和Ca2+含量以及较低水平Na+/K+和Na+/Ca2+比,以降低披针叶黄华细胞渗透势来适应盐渍环境;披针叶黄华对NaCl胁迫的调节能力弱于Na2SO4。     

Salt sensitivity and low discrimination between potassium and sodium in bean plants

Bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) were very sensitive to moderate concentrations of NaCl, showing a dramatic decrease in their K⁺ content in the presence of this salt. Increasing the KCl content of the nutrient medium released the inhibitory effect of NaCl by increasing the K⁺ content of the plants. Likewise moderate concentrations of KCl were toxic for bean plants because they produced a large K⁺ loading. NaCl partially released this toxicity by inhibiting the K⁺ loading. When compared to the moderately salt tolerant sunflower plants (Helianthus annuus), bean plants showed a lower capacity to discriminate between K⁺ and Na⁺, at high Na⁺ levels, and an uncontrolled K⁺ uptake at moderate concentrations of K⁺. It is concluded that this low capacity of discrimination of the K⁺ uptake system of bean plants in presence of Na⁺ can account for by the NaCl sensitivity of bean plants.     

Effects of NaCl or Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> salinity on plant growth,ion content and photosynthetic activity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ocimum basilicum</Emphasis> L.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L., cultivar Genovese) plants were grown in Hoagland solution with or without 50 mM NaCl or 25 mM Na₂SO₄. After 15 days of treatment, Na₂SO₄ slowed growth of plants as indicated by root, stem and leaf dry weight, root length, shoot height and leaf area, and the effects were major of those induced by NaCl. Photosynthetic response was decreased more by chloride salinity than by sulphate. No effects in both treatments on leaf chlorophyll content, maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F _v/F _m) and electron transport rate (ETR) were recorded. Therefore, an excess of energy following the limitation to CO₂ photoassimilation and a down regulation of PSII photochemistry was monitored under NaCl, which displays mechanisms that play a role in avoiding PSII photodamage able to dissipate this excess energy. Ionic composition (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺) was affected to the same extent under both types of salinity, thus together with an increase in leaves Cl⁻, and roots SO₄ ²⁻ in NaCl and Na₂SO₄-treated plants, respectively, may have resulted in the observed growth retardation (for Na₂SO₄ treatment) and photosynthesis activity inhibition (for NaCl treatment), suggesting that those effects seem to have been due to the anionic component of the salts.     

不同耐盐性药用甘草幼苗根对Na~+的响应及其维管组织变化

以甘草属2种耐盐植物胀果甘草、乌拉尔甘草为材料,用不同浓度(50、100、150、200、250mmol·L-1)NaCl处理幼苗21d后,分析其生物量和根、茎、叶中的Na+、K+含量以及K+/Na+,计算根的离子选择吸收和运输系数,并应用光学显微镜观察比较二者的维管组织结构变化,以揭示2种药用甘草幼苗根对Na+的响应及其维管组织结构的变化特征,探讨甘草的耐盐机理。结果表明:(1)NaCl胁迫使2种甘草幼苗生物量均下降,在NaCl浓度为250mmol·L-1时,胀果甘草、乌拉尔甘草幼苗生物量分别是对照的53.34%、46.21%,胀果甘草耐盐性强于乌拉尔甘草。(2)随着NaCl浓度上升,2种甘草根积累的Na+显著增多,其中胀果甘草在所有盐处理下,根Na+含量均高于其它器官,说明其根对吸收的Na+具有显著截留效应;而乌拉尔甘草只在0~150mmol·L-1 NaCl范围内,根Na+含量显著高于叶片,当NaCl为200、250mmol·L-1时,叶片Na+含量显著高于根,说明乌拉尔甘草根对Na+的截留能力有限。(3)在相同盐处理下,胀果甘草离子选择吸收系数SAK,Na、离子运输系数STK,Na均大于乌拉尔甘草,胀果甘草根抑制Na+、促进K+向地上部运输的能力强于乌拉尔甘草。(4)乌拉尔甘草在NaCl为150、200mmol·L-1、胀果甘草在250mmol·L-1时,根结构对盐胁迫产生应激性响应,维管组织比例显著上升,有助于提高根向上的运输能力,减少盐害。研究表明,2种药用甘草根对Na+截留作用和向上运输时促K+抑Na+能力的差异,是导致其耐盐能力不同的主要原因,根对Na+的积累和截留作用的差异与根的结构响应相吻合,能较好地解释二者的耐盐性差异。     

The effects of salinity on ion concentrations within the root cells of Zea mays L.

Zea mays is a salt-sensitive crop species which in saline (100 mol m^-3 NaCl) conditions suffers considerable growth reduction correlated with elevated Na⁺ and Cl^- concentration within the leaves. To increase understanding of the regulation of ion uptake and transport by the roots in saline conditions, ion concentrations within individual root cortical cells were determined by X-ray microanalysis. There was variation in Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^- distributions among individual cells, which could not be correlated with their spatial position in the roots. Generally, however, in response to saline growth conditions (100 mol m³ NaCl) Na⁺ and Cl^- were mostly localized in the vacuoles, although their concentrations were also sometimes increased in the cytoplasm and cell walls. The concentration of K⁺ in the cytoplasm was usually maintained at a level (mean 79 mol m^-3) compatible with the biochemical functions ascribed to this ion.Abbreviation (T)AEM (Transmission) analytical electron microscopy     

Overexpression of Arabidopsis thaliana Na+/H+ antiporter gene enhanced salt resistance in transgenic poplar (Populus?×?euramericana ‘Neva’)

Salinity is a major abiotic stress factor limiting plant growth and productivity. One possible method to enhance plant salt-resistance is to compartmentalize sodium ions away from the cytosol. In the present work, a vacuolar Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter gene AtNHX1 from Arabidopsis thaliana, was transferred into Populus × euramericana ‘Neva’ by Agrobacterium tumefaciens in order to enhance poplar salt-resistance. The results showed that the transgenic poplar were more resistant to NaCl than the wild-type (WT) in greenhouse condition. Compared with the WT, plant growth and photosynthetic capacity of the transgenic plants were enhanced, and the transgenic plants accumulated more Na⁺ and K⁺ in roots and leaves under the same NaCl condition, whereas malondialdehyde and relative electrical conductivity were lower. All of these properties of the transgenic poplar were likely to be a consequence of the overexpression of AtNHX1 caused Na⁺ sequestration in the vacuoles and improved K⁺ absorption, thus reducing their toxic effects. These results indicated overexpression of the AtNHX1 enhanced salt-resistance of poplar, and AtNHX1 played an important role in the compartmentation of Na⁺ into the vacuoles. Therefore, this study provides an effective way for improving salt resistance in trees.     

Naphthenic acids affect plant water conductance but do not alter shoot Na+ and Cl− concentrations in jack pine (Pinus banksiana) seedlings

Solution culture-grown, six-month old jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) seedlings were treated with naphthenic acids (NAs) (150 mg l^–1) and sodium chloride (45 mM NaCl) which were applied together or separately to roots for four weeks. NAs aggravated the effects of NaCl in inhibiting stomatal conductance (g _s) and root hydraulic conductance (K_r). Naphthenic acids did not affect needle and root electrolyte leakage in the absence of NaCl. However, in plants treated with NaCl, NAs further increased electrolyte leakage from needles and NaCl induced electrolyte leakage from needles, but not from roots. Both NaCl and NAs treatments resulted in a reduction in root respiration. The measured Na⁺ and Cl^– concentrations in the shoots for combined NaCl + NAs treatments were lower than in NaCl-only treatments. These decreases were correlated with a reduction in water conductance. The accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl^– in shoots was accompanied by an increased in needle electrolyte leakage. However, greater concentrations of Cl^– compared with Na⁺ were present in shoots and in the xylem sap suggesting that roots had relatively lower capacity for Cl^– storage compared with Na⁺.     

Effect of sodium chloride on gas exchange, antioxidative defense mechanism and ion accumulation in different cultivars of Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana L.)

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of NaCl (electric conductivity of 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 dS m^?1) on growth, gas exchange parameters, water status, membrane injury, chlorophyll stability index and oxidative defense mechanisms in two cultivars (Gola and Umran) of Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana). Results showed that the dry mass and leaf area reduced linearly with increasing levels of salinity. Net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration (E), and stomatal conductance (g _s) were comparatively lower in Umran which further declined with salinity. Leaf relative water content, chlorophyll (Chl) stability and membrane stability also decreased significantly under salt stress, with higher magnitude in Umran. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT) activities were higher in Gola whereas hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation and lipid peroxidation (MDA content) were higher in control as well as salttreated plants of Umran. The Na⁺ content was higher in the roots of Gola and in the leaves of Umran, resulting in high K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in Gola leaves. Thus it is suggested that salt tolerance mechanism is more efficiently operative in cultivar Gola owing to better management of growth, physiological attributes, antioxidative defense mechanism, and restricted translocation of Na⁺ from root to leaves along with larger accumulation of K⁺ in its leaves.     

Effects of salt on growth,ion accumulation,photosynthesis and leaf anatomy of the mangrove,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Bruguiera parviflora</Emphasis>

The effects of a range of salinity (0, 100, 200 and 400 mM NaCl) on growth, ion accumulation, photosynthesis and anatomical changes of leaves were studied in the mangrove, Bruguiera parviflora of the family Rhizophoraceae under hydroponically cultured conditions. The growth rates measured in terms of plant height, fresh and dry weight and leaf area were maximal in culture treated with 100 mM NaCl and decreased at higher concentrations. A significant increase of Na⁺ content of leaves from 46.01 mmol m^-2 in the absence of NaCl to 140.55 mmol m^-2 in plants treated with 400 mM NaCl was recorded. The corresponding Cl^- contents were 26.92 mmol m^-2 and 97.89 mmol m^-2. There was no significant alteration of the endogenous level of K⁺ and Fe²⁺ in leaves. A drop of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ content of leaves upon salt accumulation suggests increasing membrane stability and decreased chlorophyll content respectively. Total chlorophyll content decreased from 83.44 g cm^-2 in untreated plants to 46.56 g cm^-2 in plants treated with 400 mM NaCl, suggesting that NaCl has a limiting effect on photochemistry that ultimately affects photosynthesis by inhibiting chlorophyll synthesis (ca. 50% loss in chlorophyll). Light-saturated rates of photosynthesis decreased by 22% in plants treated with 400 mM NaCl compared with untreated plants. Both mesophyll and stomatal conductance by CO₂ diffusion decreased linearly in leaves with increasing salt concentration. Stomatal and mesophyll conductance decreased by 49% and 52% respectively after 45 days in 400 mM NaCl compared with conductance in the absence of NaCl. Scanning electron microscope study revealed a decreased stomatal pore area (63%) in plants treated with 400 mM NaCl compared with untreated plants, which might be responsible for decreased stomatal conductance. Epidermal and mesophyll thickness and intercellular spaces decreased significantly in leaves after treatment with 400 mM NaCl compared with untreated leaves. These changes in mesophyll anatomy might have accounted for the decreased mesophyll conductance. We conclude that high salinity reduces photosynthesis in leaves of B. parviflora, primarily by reducing diffusion of CO₂ to the chloroplast, both by stomatal closure and by changes in mesophyll structure, which decreased the conductance to CO₂ within the leaf, as well as by affecting the photochemistry of the leaves.