Response of shoot growth and transpiration to soil drying in sugarcane

The relationship between plant-available water (PAW) and shoot extension and transpiration is required to model crop response to water stress, and has not been previously defined for sugarcane (Saccharum spp. (L.)). We subjected sugarcane plants at the 5–6 leaf stage to a continuous drying cycle in large (42 L) pots to determine the threshold fraction of plant available water (PAW_t) at which plants slowed shoot extension and transpiration relative to plants watered daily. Transpiration rate was measured as the daily mass loss from the pots and shoot extension as the height increase from ground level to the tip of the youngest actively expanding leaf. Three experiments were conducted with cultivar Q115 covering a range of soil types (and hence PAW) and rates of soil drying. To compare the response with sugarcane, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench s.lat.), a species that has been well characterized for the relationship between PAW and transpiration and shoot extension, was grown in two additional experiments. For the same species, response curves and PAW_t for either shoot extension or transpiration were very similar for the different experiments. This similarity occurred despite there being different soils, different environmental conditions, different PAW, different times taken for the pots to dry down, and hence different rates of stress development. In sugarcane, there was almost no threshold in PAW_t (0.92) for shoot extension and a very small threshold in PAW_t for transpiration (0.85), while in sorghum PAW_t for sorghum shoot extension (0.54) and plant transpiration (0.47) were consistent with those published previously. The present data extend previous reports that sugarcane stalk extension is very sensitive to water stress, and we discuss several factors that could provide the physiological basis for the sensitivity. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Physiological basis of differential response to salinity in rice cultivars

Growth analyses of rice Oryza sativa L. seedlings in salinized nutrient solution condition were conducted with 24 cultivars and lines after genetic purification. Cultivar differences in relative growth rate in salinized conditions were chiefly dependent on differences in shoot Na content. The shoot Na content was affected by Na selectivity in the root and by the leaf area ratio (LAR, leaf area per total dry weight). The contribution of LAR was equally important to that of root cultivar selectivity against Na uptake under a higher salinization condition where root selectivity against Na may be decreased due to reduced root activity. Cultivar differences in salt tolerance in highly salinized conditions were mainly attributed to differences in these two factors. A more convenient and efficient screening method for salt tolerance is proposed.     

Sodium and potassium uptake of rice panicles as affected by salinity and season in relation to yield and yield components

Salinity is a major yield-reducing stress in many arid and/or coastal irrigation systems for rice. Past studies on salt stress have mainly addressed the vegetative growth stage of rice, and little is known on salt effects on the reproductive organs. Sodium and potassium uptake of panicles was studied for eight rice cultivars in field trials under irrigation with saline and fresh water in the hot dry season and the wet season 1994 at WARDA in Ndiaye, Senegal. Sodium and potassium content was determined at four different stages of panicle development and related to salt treatment effects on yield, yield components and panicle transpiration. Yield and yield components were strongly affected by salinity, the effects being stronger in the HDS than in the WS. The cultivars differed in the amount of salt taken up by the panicle. Tolerant cultivars had lower panicle sodium content at all panicle development stages than susceptible ones. Panicle potassium concentration decreased with panicle development under both treatments in all cultivars, but to a lesser extent in salt treated susceptible cultivars. Grain weight reduction in the early panicle development stages and spikelet sterility increase in the later PDS were highly correlated (p < 0.01) with an increase in panicle sodium concentration in both seasons, whereas reduction in spikelet number was not. The magnitude of salt-induced yield loss could not be explained with increases in sodium uptake to the panicle alone. It is argued that the amount of sodium taken up by the panicle may be determined by two different factors. One factor (before flowering) being the overall control mechanism of sodium uptake through root properties and the subsequent distribution of sodium in the vegetative plant, whereas the other (from flowering onwards) is probably linked to panicle transpiration. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Simulation study of nutrient uptake by plants from soilless cultures as affected by salinity buildup and transpiration

Soilless plant growth systems are widely used as a means to save irrigation water and to reduce groundwater contamination. While nutrient concentrations in the growth medium are depleted due to uptake by the plants, salinity and toxic substances accumulate due to transpiration. A theoretical model is suggested, to simulate nutrient uptake by plants grown in soilless cultures with recycled solutions. The model accounts for salinity accumulation with time and plant growth, and its effects on uptake of the different nutrients by means of interaction with Na and Cl ions. The sink term occurs due to uptake by a growing root system. Influx as a function of the ion concentration is according to Michaelis–Menten active mechanisms for K⁺, NO₃ ^–-N, NH₄ ⁺-N, PO₄-P, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and SO₄ ^2-, whose influx parameters are affected by Na and Cl^–, but not with time (age). Sodium influx is passive above a critical concentration. Sum of cations–anions concentrations is balanced by Cl^– to maintain electro-neutrality of the growth solution. Salinity (by means of Na concentration) suppresses root and leaf growth, which further effect uptake and transpiration. The model accounts for instantaneous transpiration losses, during daytime only and its effect on uptake of nutrients and plant development due to salt accumulation. The model was tested against NO₃ ^– and K⁺ uptake by plants associated with cumulative transpiration and with different NaCl salinity levels. Deviations from observed K⁺ uptake should be attributed to the salinity tolerance of the plants. In a study with data obtained from published literature, the model indicated that nutrient depletion and salinity buildup might be completely different with fully grown-up plants (that do not grow) and plants that grow with time. Depletion of different nutrients are according to their initial concentration and plant uptake rate, but also affected by their interactions with Na and Cl ions.     

Yield, transpiration and growth of tomatoes under combined excess boron and salinity stress

Boron is essential to growth at low concentrations and limits growth and yield when in excess. Little is known regarding plant response to excess boron (B) and salinity occurring simultaneously. The influences of B and salinity on tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Cv `5656') were investigated in lysimeters. Salinity levels were 1, 3, 6 and 9 dSm^–1 and B levels were 0.028, 0.185, 0.37, 0.74, 1.11, 1.48 mol m^–3. Excess boron was found to decrease yield and transpiration of tomatoes. This effect was inhibited when plants were exposed to simultaneous B and salinity stresses. Both irrigation water salinity and boron concentration influenced water use of the plants in the same manner as they influenced yield. While yield was found to decrease with increased boron concentration in leaf tissue, increased salinity led to decreased boron accumulation. Yield response was found to correlate better to B concentration in irrigation water and soil solution than to plant tissue B content. A dominant-stress-factor model was assumed and validated. The model applies the principle that when a plant is submitted to conditions of stress caused by B in conjunction with salinity, the more severe stress determines yield. The results of this study have significance in modeling and management of high salinity high boron conditions. Under saline conditions, differences in crop yield and in water use may not be experienced over a significant range of boron concentrations.     

Stomata response to changes in temperature and humidity in wheat cultivars grown under contrasting climatic conditions

Stomatal response to changes in temperature and humidity was studied in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Iren’ cultivated under conditions of high water supply and cv. Kazakhstanskaya 10, which is relatively drought tolerant. Experiments were performed under both laboratory and field conditions. It was demonstrated that stomata of cv. Kazakhstanskaya 10 plants closed rapidly with reducing humidity (the response of the first type), whereas, in cv. Iren’, this response was less expressed and, under conditions of a high water content in soil, stomatal conductance could increase in response to reduced humidity (the response of the second type). At an increased stomatal conductance and transpiration, water content in cv. Iren’ plants was maintained due to the increase in hydraulic conductance and water inflow from the roots. A possible role of the first-type response (rapid stomata closure) for growth maintenance under drought and of the second-type response (a parallel increase in the stomatal and hydraulic conductance) for providing of rapid growth and high productivity under sufficient water supply is discussed. A possibility to use the type of stomata behavior for cultivar assessment is considered.     

九个甘蔗新品种在桂林地区的适应性观察和评价

为探讨甘蔗新品种在桂林地区的适应性表现,该研究以ROC22为对照,采用大区互比法,对国家甘蔗产业技术体系的9个甘蔗品种进行1年新植2年宿根的区域试验,观察记录出苗率、分蘖率、株高、产量和糖分等14个性状表现,并利用DTOPSIS法进行综合评价。结果表明:桂糖29号、桂糖31号、云蔗03-194、粤糖60号、福农38号和粤糖55号的综合性状表现优于对照ROC22,其中桂糖29号宿根性好、蔗茎产量和产糖量较高,但病虫害有不同程度的发生,田间栽培需加强病虫害防控;桂糖31号有效茎多、蔗糖分高,建议加强肥水管理,提高产量;云蔗03-194出苗率较高,出苗整齐,有效茎数较多,宿根性好,但枯心苗和黑穗病发病程度较其他品种严重,建议加强苗期病虫管理,保障成茎率;粤糖60号蔗糖产量较高、抗倒伏能力强,但新植出苗率较低,建议加大下种量;福农38号蔗糖分较高、抗病性较好,是优异的抗病材料;粤糖55号宿根性较好。上述筛选出的6个甘蔗品种宿根性好、抗逆性强、高产高糖,适宜在桂林地区进行扩大种植,用于指导当地的甘蔗示范推广。     

Plant growth and ion relations in lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in response to the combined effects of NaCl and P

The combined effect of NaCl and P on the growth of lucerne was studied in two hydroponic greenhouse experiments. NaCl concentrations were identical in each experiment (0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl) while external P concentrations were low (viz. 0.002, 0.02 and 0.2 mM measured as 0.006, 0.026 and 0.2 mM, respectively) in one experiment and higher (0.5 and 5.0 mM) in the second. Plant biomass was reduced more by the low P levels than by high concentrations of NaCl. A significant NaCl^*P effect was found where external P concentrations were low (0.006–0.2 mM) but there was no difference in plant production between the two P concentrations of 0.5 and 5.0 mM. Shoot and root concentrations of Na and Cl increased significantly with increasing NaCl concentration in both experiments and there were some differences in the concentrations of these ions at different external P levels. At low P, NaCl had no significant effect on shoot concentrations of P; however, root P concentrations tended to decrease with increasing NaCl level. Increasing external P from 0.006 to 0.2 mM led to significant increases in P concentrations in both roots and shoots. At higher P, concentrations of P in both the shoots and the roots did not differ with external NaCl or P conditions. Our results illustrate the complex relationship that exists between NaCl and P at low P levels. We conclude that high or non-limiting concentrations of P (0.2 – 5.0 mM) do not affect lucerne's response to NaCl.     

Assessment of transpiration efficiency in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under drought using a lysimetric system

Transpiration efficiency (TE) is an important trait for drought tolerance in peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.). The variation in TE was assessed gravimetrically using a long time interval in nine peanut genotypes (Chico, ICGS 44, ICGV 00350, ICGV 86015, ICGV 86031, ICGV 91114, JL 24, TAG 24 and TMV 2) grown in lysimeters under well-watered or drought conditions. Transpiration was measured by regularly weighing the lysimeters, in which the soil surface was mulched with a 2-cm layer of polythene beads. TE in the nine genotypes used varied from 1.4 to 2.9 g kg⁻¹ under well-watered and 1.7 to 2.9 g kg⁻¹ under drought conditions, showing consistent variation in TE among genotypes. A higher TE was found in ICGV 86031 in both well-watered and drought conditions and lower TE was found in TAG-24 under both water regimes. Although total water extraction differed little across genotypes, the pattern of water extraction from the soil profile varied among genotypes. High water extraction within 24 days following stress imposition was negatively related to pod yield ( r ²   =   0.36), and negatively related to water extraction during a subsequent period of 32 days ( r ²   =   0.73). By contrast, the latter, i.e. water extraction during a period corresponding to grain filling (24 to 56 days after flowering) was positively related to pod yield ( r ²   =   0.36). TE was positively correlated with pod weight ( r ²   =   0.30) under drought condition. Our data show that under an intermittent drought regime, TE and water extraction from the soil profile during a period corresponding to pod filling were the most important components.     

Photosynthesis, transpiration and salt fluxes through leaves of Leptochloa fusca L. Kunth

Abstract Salt excretion by glands on the leaves of Leptochloa fusca was studied. The rate of excretion was strongly dependent on temperature up to 39°C, which is near the optimum for photosynthesis in this thermophilic C₄ grass. The concentration of salt in the xylem required to sustain the observed rate of excretion was low (about two orders of magnitude less than the external concentration). Salt excretion is concluded to be a secondary mechanism of salt tolerance, with exclusion at the roots being the major mechanism. The rate of salt excretion was strongly dependent on temperature.     

Hydraulic architecture of sugarcane in relation to patterns of water use during plant development*

Hydraulic conductance was measured on leaf and stem segments excised from sugarcane plants at different stages of development. Maximum transpiration rates and leaf water potential (Ψ_L) associated with maximum transpiration were also measured in intact plants as a function of plant size. Leaf specific hydraulic conductivity (L_sc) and transpiration on a unit leaf area basis (E) were maximal in plants with approximately 0.2 m² leaf area and decreased with increasing plant size. These changes in Fand L_sc were nearly parallel, which prevented φ_L in larger plants from decreasing to levels associated with substantial loss in xylem conductivity caused by embolism formation. Coordination of changes in E and leaf hydraulic properties was not mediated by declining leaf water status, since φ_L increased with plant size. Hydraulic constrictions were present at nodes and in the node-leaf sheath-leaf blade pathway. This pattern of constrictions is in accord with the idea of plant segmentation into regions differing in water transport efficiency and would tend to confine embolisms to the relatively expendable leaves at terminal positions in the pathway, thereby preserving water transport through the stem.     

Diversity,distribution and roles of osmoprotective compounds accumulated in halophytes under abiotic stress

Background and Aims Osmolytes are low-molecular-weight organic solutes, a broad group that encompasses a variety of compounds such as amino acids, tertiary sulphonium and quaternary ammonium compounds, sugars and polyhydric alcohols. Osmolytes are accumulated in the cytoplasm of halophytic species in order to balance the osmotic potential of the Na⁺ and Cl⁻ accumulated in the vacuole. The advantages of the accumulation of osmolytes are that they keep the main physiological functions of the cell active, the induction of their biosynthesis is controlled by environmental cues, and they can be synthesized at all developmental stages. In addition to their role in osmoregulation, osmolytes have crucial functions in protecting subcellular structures and in scavenging reactive oxygen species.Scope This review discusses the diversity of osmolytes among halophytes and their distribution within taxonomic groups, the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence their accumulation, and their role in osmoregulation and osmoprotection. Increasing the osmolyte content in plants is an interesting strategy to improve the growth and yield of crops upon exposure to salinity. Examples of transgenic plants as well as exogenous applications of some osmolytes are also discussed. Finally, the potential use of osmolytes in protein stabilization and solvation in biotechnology, including the pharmaceutical industry and medicine, are considered.     

The influence of salinity on phosphate uptake and distribution in lupin roots

Treeby, M. T. and van Steveninck, R. F. M. 1988. The influence of salinity on phosphate uptake and distribution in lupin roots. - Physiol. Plant. 72: 617–622.
The uptake and distribution of phosphate in lupin ( Lupinus luteus L. cv. Weiko III) roots under moderate salt (NaCl) stress was studied. Vacuolar inorganic phosphate (PJ concentrations in high phosphate plants were decreased by salt, although whole root P| was unaffected. In low phosphate plants, vacuolar P_i was unaffected by salt while whole root P_i was increased. Phosphate uptake was not altered by salt in high phosphate plants, but was depressed in low phosphate plants. These observations lead to the conclusion that in high phosphate plants P_i accumulates in cytoplasm and/or stele, ultimately giving rise to phosphate toxicity in shoots. Increasing phosphate supply had no effect on Na⁺ accumulation in root cell vacuoles in the epidermis or cortex, but the concentration of Cl⁻ in endodermal vacuoles was lowered.     

A rice jacalin‐related mannose‐binding lectin gene,OsJRL, enhances Escherichia coli viability under high salinity stress and improves salinity tolerance of rice

• Salinity, which is one of the most common abiotic stresses, may severely affect plant productivity and quality. Although plant lectins are thought to play important roles in plant defense signaling during pathogen attack, little is known about the contribution of plant lectins to stress resistance.
• We cloned and functionally characterized a rice jacalin‐related mannose‐binding lectin gene, OsJRL, from rice ‘Nipponbare’. We analyzed the expression patterns of OsJRL under various stress conditions in rice. Furthermore, we overexpressed OsJRL in Escherichia coli and rice.
• The cDNA of OsJRL contained a 438 bp open reading frame, which encodes a polypeptide of 145 amino acids. OsJRL was localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Real time PCR analyses revealed that OsJRL expression showed tissue specificity in rice and was upregulated under diverse stresses, namely salt, drought, cold, heat and abscisic acid treatments. Overexpression of OsJRL in E. coli enhanced cell viability and dramatically improved tolerance of high salinity. Overexpression of OsJRL in rice also enhanced salinity tolerance and increased the expression levels of a number of stress‐related genes, including three LEA (late embryogenesis abundant proteins) genes (OsLEA19a, OsLEA23 and OsLEA24), three Na⁺ transporter genes (OsHKT1;3, OsHKT1;4 and OsHKT1;5) and two DREB genes (OsDREB1A and OsDREB2B).
• Based on these results, we suggest that OsJRL plays an important role in cell protection and stress signal transduction.

     

Effect of salinity on growth, ion content and CO2 assimilation rate in lemon varieties on different rootstocks

Citrus rootstocks as well as lemon scions differ in their ability to restrict sodium and chloride ions and in their sensitivity to saline stress. To determine the behaviour of different rootstock-scion combinations, 3 lemon cultivars on 3 different rootstocks were grown in containers in a greenhouse and irrigated with 5, 25 and 50 m M NaCl. Growth of the plants and foliar contents of sodium and chloride as well as physiological parameters including transpiration rate, gas exchange, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll content were evaluated. Shoot length of the plants on sour orange and on C. volkameriana showed a greater reduction with salinity than those on C. macrophylla . Accumulation of salt in the leaves was also scion dependent, cv. 'Eureka' having higher concentrations of sodium and chloride than the others. Assimilation rate of CO₂ and stomatal conductance were greatly reduced by salinity in the leaves of Verna and Eureka on sour orange. Gas exchange in the leaves was highly correlated with chloride and sodium contents in all lemon-rootstock combinations. C. macrophylla showed a higher resistance to salinity than C. volkameriana and sour orange. Inferences on the mechanisms of action of salt on lemon trees are discussed.     

Comparing salinity tolerance in embryonic and larval development of two species of water strider,Aquarius paludum and Gerris latiabdominis (Hemiptera: Gerridae)

Water strider Aquarius paludum (Fabricius) is a cosmopolitan species colonizes mainly freshwater but occasionally brackish habitats throughout the Palearctic and Oriental regions. Water strider Gerris latiabdominis (Miyamoto) is a common species in Japan lives in temporary habitats as freshwater paddy fields. These two species often occur syntopically. We investigated differences in the developmental response to brackish water during embryonic and larval stages between the two species. Eggs were exposed to 0–1.8% NaCl solutions within 24 h of oviposition. Larvae of G. latiabdominis were exposed to salinities of 0, 0.5%, and 0.9% from the first instar until adult emergence. Limits of NaCl concentration for hatching were 1.3% and 1.0% for A. paludum and G. latiabdominis, respectively. The hatching rate of G. latiabdominis was lower than that of A. paludum at salinities ≥0.9%. The period of embryonic development of G. latiabdominis was more prolonged than that of A. paludum at a given salinity. Although the salinity tolerance of G. latiabdominis was lower than that of A. paludum, our results suggest G. latiabdominis has the physiological capacity to expand into brackish waters. High and low salinity tolerances of A. paludum and G. latiabdominis, respectively, reflect the relatively wide range of habitat salinities utilized by A. paludum and the relatively restricted habitats preferred by G. latiabdominis. The high salinity tolerance of A. paludum could be an important factor contributing to their cosmopolitan distribution because high tolerance to salinity means the possibility of them to be dispersed via ocean or sea to other continents and islands.     

Preinoculation of lettuce and onion with VA mycorrhizal fungi reduces deleterious effects of soil salinity

The hypothesis that inoculation of transplants with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi before planting into saline soils alleviates salt effects on growth and yield was tested on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.). A second hypothesis was that fungi isolated from saline soil are more effective in counteracting salt effects than those from nonsaline soil. VAM fungi from high- and low-salt soils were trap-cultured, their propagules quantified and adjusted to a like number, and added to a pasteurized soil mix in which seedlings were grown for 3–4 weeks. Once the seedlings were colonized by VAM fungi, they were transplanted into salinized (NaCl) soil. Preinoculated lettuce transplants grown for 11 weeks in the saline soils had greater shoot mass compared with nonVAM plants at all salt levels [2 (control), 4, 8 and 12 dS m^–1] tested. Leaves of VAM lettuce at the highest salt level were significantly greener (more chlorophyll) than those of the nonVAM lettuce. NonVAM onions were stunted due to P deficiency in the soil, but inoculation with VAM fungi alleviated P deficiency and salinity effects; VAM onions were significantly larger at all salt levels than nonVAM onions. In a separate experiment, addition of P to salinized soil reduced the salt stress effect on nonVAM onions but to a lesser extent than by VAM inoculation. VAM fungi from the saline soil were not more effective in reducing growth inhibition by salt than those from the nonsaline site. Colonization of roots and length of soil hyphae produced by the VAM fungi decreased with increasing soil salt concentration. Results indicate that preinoculation of transplants with VAM fungi can help alleviate deleterious effects of saline soils on crop yield.     

Control of Na+ and K+ transport in Spergularia marina. III. Relationship between ion uptake and growth at moderate salinity

In this paper, we continue our analysis of Na⁺ and K⁺ uptake by mid-vegetative Spergularia marina (L.) Griseb. plants growing on 0.2x sea water medium, with attention to the relationship of ion uptake and growth. In the first part of the paper, growth analysis techniques are used to compare relative growth rates (RGR) and relative accumulation rates (RAR) for Na⁺ and K⁺. Under constant growth conditions, a high correlation between RGR and RAR indicated that growth and accumulation of both ions were well balanced, resulting in Na⁺ and K⁺ concentrations within the plants which were stable after adjustement to the saline medium. The analysis confirmed the existence of a Na⁺ -related growth stimulation in S. marina and an associated increase in the efficiency of K⁺ utilization for growth. When plants were subjected to more rapid salinization and step changes in the light intensity of the growth chamber, RGR and RAR were again similar, even through the discontinuities in growth conditions, suggesting that growth and ion accumulation were co-regulated rather than simply correlated. The growth analysis data were then transformed to give net uptake rates for Na⁺ and K⁺ and the results were compared to those of isotope studies under similar growth conditions. In roots, the rates estimated by the two techniques differed substantially; net uptake rates reflected primarily growth, while isotope studies indicated a substantial ion exchange rate between mature cells and the growth medium. The rates of transport of either Na⁺ or K⁺ to the shoot were very similar using the two estimation techniques. As the rates measured with isotopes were taken from studies lasting at most a few hours, this suggested a very rapid turnover of the upwardly mobile Na⁺ and K⁺ pools in the roots.     

Emergence and seedling growth of soybean cultivars and maturity groups under salinity

Soybean is an important agricultural crop and has, among its genotypes, a relatively wide variation in salt tolerance. As measured by vegetative growth and yield, however, the achievement or failure of a high emergence ratio and seedling establishment in saline soils can have significant economic implications in areas where soil salinity is a potential problem for soybean. This study was conducted to determine the effects of salinity, variety and maturation rate on soybean emergence and seedling growth. Included in the study were the variety ‘Manokin’; four near-isogenic sibling lines of the variety ‘Lee’ belonging to maturity groups IV, V, VI and VII; and the variety ‘Essex’ and two of its near-isogenic related lines representing maturity groups V, VI and VII, respectively. Field plots were salinized with sodium chloride and calcium chloride salts prior to planting. The soybeans were irrigated with furrow irrigation which redistributed the salts towards the tail ends of the field plots. Elevated soil salinity near the tail ends of the field significantly reduced soybean emergence rate, shoot height and root length. No significant reduction was found for emergence or seedling growth of variety ‘Manokin’ when the electrical conductivity of soil solution extract (ECe) was less than 3 dS m⁻¹. Soybean emergence and seedling growth was significantly reduced when soil ECe reached about 11 dS m⁻¹. Maturity groups V and VII of variety ‘Lee’ or V and VI of ‘Essex’ appeared to be more sensitive to salinity stress than other maturity groups. Salt tolerance of different genotypes and maturity groups should be considered, among other limiting factors, in minimizing salinity effects on soybean growth. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.