三角叶滨藜根吸水特点与其抗盐性的关系

采用压力室和冰点渗透压计测定了三角叶滨藜在不同浓度NaCl的根系环境溶液中根木质部的压力势和伤流液的渗透势,并利用原子吸收分光光度计测定了植株和伤流液以及环境溶液中Na 含量。结果表明:随着根环境溶液NaCl浓度的增加,三角叶滨藜植株和木质部伤流液中Na 含量虽呈上升趋势,但根系的过滤系数和体内Na 相对累积量逐渐降低,说明三角叶滨藜根细胞对盐分有很强的过滤作用;木质部伤流液的渗透势随着环境溶液渗透势的降低而降低,但根木质部溶液的水势则逐渐高出根外环境溶液的渗透势;表明三角叶滨藜能够利用较低的木质部负压来抵抗根外溶液的低渗透势而反渗透吸水,并利用根细胞对盐分的过滤作用来避免从环境摄取过量的盐分。     

根环境供氧状况对盐胁迫下棉花幼苗光合及离子吸收的影响

以溶液培养的棉花(Gossypium hirsutum L.)幼苗为材料,测定了不同盐胁迫程度和不同根环境供氧状况条件下棉花幼苗的叶片气体交换参数、叶绿素荧光参数和植株的Na~+、K~+离子含量等的变化,以探索根环境供氧状况对盐胁迫下棉花光合作用和离子吸收的影响。结果表明,盐胁迫和根环境供氧不足均导致净光合速率下降。在处理后的前期,盐胁迫对棉花叶片光合作用的不利影响大于供氧不足(不通气)的影响,而后期根环境供氧不足的不利影响快速增大,并逐渐超过盐胁迫的影响。在低浓度盐胁迫和根环境不通气处理的初期,棉花叶片光合速率下降的主要原因是气孔因素(气孔关闭或部分关闭引起的CO_2供应不足);随着盐胁迫程度的增大和胁迫持续时间的延长,光合速率下降的原因逐渐转变为非气孔因素(光合系统损伤引起的光合能力下降)。相同程度盐胁迫下,根环境通气处理的棉花叶片的净光合速率和PSⅡ最大光化学效率等均显著高于根环境不通气处理的,说明根环境供氧不足加重了盐胁迫对光合作用的不利影响。对棉花植株各器官离子积累量的测定、分析发现,盐胁迫导致了棉花根系拒Na~+、吸K~+的能力和选择性运输K~+的能力降低,使棉花根系和叶片的Na~+含量增多、K~+含量减少、[Na~+]/[K~+]比值升高;而根环境通气则可显著提高盐胁迫下根系的拒Na~+、吸K~+能力和根系向叶片选择性运输K~+的能力,降低根系和叶片的[Na~+]/[K~+]比值。试验还发现,根系K~+、Na~+含量受盐胁迫的影响较大,而叶片K~+、Na~+含量受根环境通气状况的影响更大一些。综合分析可见,盐胁迫和根环境供氧不足均可导致棉花叶片光合速率下降、光合机构损伤以及离子平衡失调,而根环境通气可以缓解盐胁迫对棉花叶片光合作用的不利影响、增加根系和叶片对K~+的选择吸收和积累、降低[Na~+]/[K~+]比值,从而增强棉花植株对盐胁迫的适应性和抵抗力。     

不同抗旱性冬小麦幼苗根系对水分胁迫的反应

抗旱性不同的小麦根系含水量、水势、渗透势均随水分胁迫强度增加而逐渐下降。其中以水势变化最为灵敏。恢复正常供水72h后,三项指标均有不同程度的回升,抗旱品种恢复能力强。根系渗透调节能力随胁迫强度的加剧而提高,抗旱品种渗透调节的效果好于敏感品种。随着胁迫强度的增加,根中ATP相对含量减少,恢复正常供水72h后,含量可部分恢复,恢复能力与品种的抗旱性一致。     

NaCl抑制棉花幼苗生长的机理—盐离子效应

75和150 mmol/L NaCl处理.降低棉花幼苗叶面积、叶相对扩展率,蒸腾和木质部汁液K~ 浓度;而增大叶细胞质膜透性、渗透势、叶Na~ 含量和木质部汁液Na~ 和Cl~-的浓度。生长在75mmol/L NaCl加压(根际)和不加压条件下的棉花,叶面积、叶相对扩展率、蒸腾、叶质膜透性和渗透势的变化基本一样。这些结果表明棉花幼苗的拒盐能力不大,盐害的原因是盐的原初效应,而不是盐的次生效应。另外,盐对棉花幼苗叶相对扩展率和质膜透性的效应在生长后期降低,表明棉花幼苗也具有一定的耐盐能力。     

不同抗旱性冬小冬幼苗根系对小分胁迫的反应

抗旱性不同的小麦根系含水量、水势、渗透势均随水分胁迫强度增加而逐渐下降。其中以水势变化最为灵敏。恢复正常供水７２ｈ后,三项指标均有不同程度的回升,抗旱品种恢复能力强。根系渗透调节能力随胁迫强度的加剧而提高,抗旱品种渗透调节的效果好于敏感品种。随着胁迫强度的增加,根中ＡＴＰ相对含量减少,恢复正常供水７２ｈ后,含量可部分恢复,恢复能力与品种的抗旱性一致。     

盐胁迫下外源褪黑素和Ca~(2+)对甜瓜幼苗的缓解效应

以甜瓜品种‘羊角酥瓜’为试材,利用人工气候室控制环境条件(昼/夜25/18℃),研究盐胁迫条件下外源褪黑素(MT)和Ca~(2+)对甜瓜幼苗根系和叶片中Cl~-、Na~+、K~+、Mg~(2+)、Ca~(2+)离子含量,Na~+/K~+、Na~+/Ca~(2+)、Na~+/Mg~(2+)值,以及H~+-ATP酶活性、渗透调节物质积累和细胞膜质过氧化的影响.结果表明:与对照相比,盐胁迫处理显著抑制甜瓜幼苗生长,增加根系和叶片中Cl-、Na~+含量,降低K~+、Mg~(2+)、Ca~(2+)含量.盐胁迫下,喷施外源MT或Ca~(2+)处理均可以显著降低甜瓜根系和叶片中Cl~-、Na~+含量,提高K~+、Mg~(2+)、Ca~(2+)含量,植株体内Na~+/K~+、Na~+/Ca~(2+)和Na~+/Mg~(2+)值下降;同时也提高了根系和叶片H~+-ATP酶活性及叶片渗透调节物质的含量,降低盐胁迫对细胞膜的伤害,表现在甜瓜叶片相对电导率和丙二醛含量降低.总之,在盐胁迫条件下,外源MT、Ca~(2+)单独和复配处理均可通过提高H~+-ATP酶活性来降低盐害离子的含量,改善甜瓜幼苗中的离子平衡,同时增加渗透调节物质的含量,降低膜质过氧化水平,从而增强其对盐胁迫的适应性,其中MT和Ca~(2+)复配处理时的效果更好.复配外施MT和Ca~(2+)在诱导甜瓜幼苗提高耐盐方面具有协同增效作用.     

盐旱复合胁迫对小麦幼苗生长和水分吸收的影响

为明确盐害、干旱及盐旱复合胁迫对小麦幼苗生长和水分吸收的影响,从而为盐害和干旱胁迫下栽培调控提供理论依据。以2个抗旱性不同的小麦品种(扬麦16和耐旱型洛旱7号)为材料,采用水培试验,以NaCl和PEG模拟盐旱复合胁迫,研究了盐旱复合胁迫下小麦幼苗生长、根系形态、光合特性及水分吸收特性的变化。结果表明,盐、旱及复合胁迫下小麦幼苗的生物量、叶面积、总根长与根系表面积、叶绿素荧光和净光合速率均显著下降,但是复合胁迫处理的降幅却显著低于单一胁迫。盐旱复合胁迫下根系水导速率和根系伤流液强度显著大于单一胁迫,从而提高了小麦幼苗叶片水势和相对含水量。盐胁迫下小麦幼苗Na~+/K~+显著大于复合胁迫,但复合胁迫下ABA含量却显著小于单一的盐害和干旱胁迫。因此,盐旱复合胁迫可以通过增强根系水分吸收及降低根叶中ABA含量以维持较高光合能力,这是盐旱复合胁迫提高小麦适应性的重要原因。洛旱7号和扬麦16对盐及盐旱复合胁迫的响应基本一致,但在干旱胁迫下洛旱7号表现出明显的耐性。     

亚麻响应盐、碱胁迫的生理特征

利用中性盐NaCl、Na_2SO_4和碱性盐NaHCO_3、Na_2CO_3混合模拟不同强度的盐、碱胁迫条件,对亚麻(Linum usitatissimum)进行14天胁迫处理,测定其地上部分和根生长速率、光合特征、离子平衡及有机渗透调节物质积累,以探讨亚麻对盐、碱两种胁迫的生理响应特点。研究表明:亚麻生长对盐、碱胁迫的响应存在差异,在相同盐浓度下,碱胁迫对亚麻的伤害大于盐胁迫。碱胁迫使地上部分中Na+浓度急剧增高,造成叶绿体破坏、光合色素含量下降,光合能力及碳同化能力也急剧下降。亚麻中Na~+含量随着胁迫强度的增加而升高,而K+含量呈下降趋势,碱胁迫下的变化明显大于盐胁迫。因此,碱胁迫导致Na~+过度积累可能是碱胁迫对植物伤害大于盐胁迫的最主要原因。碱胁迫下Ca~(2+)和Mg~(2+)在根中下降明显,可见高pH值阻碍根对Ca~(2+)和Mg~(2+)的吸收。Fe~(2+)和Zn~(2+)对渗透调节的影响不大,因为它们的离子含量较低。盐胁迫促进阴离子(Cl~–、H_2PO_4–和SO_4~(2–))的积累来平衡大量涌入的Na~+,但是碱胁迫明显减少无机阴离子含量,可能造成严重营养胁迫(如P和S不足)。亚麻在盐胁迫下积累大量可溶性糖来平衡大量的Na+,但碱胁迫下积累大量有机酸来维持细胞内离子平衡和pH值稳定,碱胁迫大量积累的有机酸也可能被分泌到根外调节根外的p H值,这说明亚麻对两种不同胁迫的响应方式不同。研究证明高pH值会直接影响植物根系的生长发育,影响植物矿质元素的吸收,阻碍离子稳态重建,有机酸代谢是亚麻碱胁迫下的关键适应机制。     

NaCl对渗透胁迫下三角叶滨藜光合作用和水分状况的调节

以溶液培养的三角叶滨藜(Atriplex triangularis)为材料, 测定分析了在PEG诱导的渗透胁迫条件下, 适量的NaCl对其光合作用和水分吸收的影响, 以探讨环境溶液中NaCl对植物适应干旱的影响。结果表明, PEG诱导的渗透胁迫导致三角叶滨藜植株吸水困难、叶绿素含量降低、光合系统受损、生长受抑制、生物量减少; 而在PEG渗透胁迫的处理液中添加10–40 mmol·L^–1NaCl可以明显降低植株水势和叶片渗透势, 维持较高的细胞膨压, 减缓PEG渗透胁迫对光合系统的破坏作用, 保证相对较高的光合速率和生长速度, 从而有效增强了三角叶滨藜对渗透胁迫的适应能力。     

钠盐和氯盐胁迫下胡杨木质部汁液ABA、离子浓度和叶片气体交换的变化

研究了渗透胁迫和盐胁迫下一年生胡杨(Populus euphratica Oliv.)幼苗的木质部汁液脱落酸(ABA)、离子浓度及叶片气体交换的变化.PEG 6000 (溶液渗透势 -0.24 MPa)、50 mmol/L含钠离子的盐溶液 (NaNO3∶NaHCO3∶NaH2PO4=5∶4∶1, pH 6.8, 渗透势 -0.24 MPa)和50 mmol/L含氯离子的盐溶液 (KCl∶NH4Cl=1∶1, 渗透势 -0.24 MPa) 3种处理都显著降低了苗木的净光合速率(Pn)和蒸腾速率(TRN),但盐处理植株的TRN高于PEG处理的苗木.木质部汁液ABA的浓度在PEG处理后1 h达到峰值,之后开始下降,降到对照水平后又逐渐回升.盐处理苗木的ABA也是在处理开始后就迅速升高,但之后ABA水平明显高于PEG处理的植株.结果显示,渗透胁迫和离子胁迫都能提高胡杨木质部汁液ABA的浓度: 盐处理开始后ABA的迅速升高主要是渗透胁迫的作用,而此后离子胁迫(Na+和Cl-)对ABA水平的提高具有重要作用.钠盐处理对胡杨净光合速率和蒸腾速率的抑制作用高于氯盐处理,其木质部汁液中较高水平的ABA和盐离子(Na+和Cl-)是可能的原因.钠盐处理苗木的盐离子(Na+和Cl-)水平高于氯盐处理,主要是由以下两方面的原因所致: (1)细胞膜上的Ca2+被Na+所取代, 增加了膜的透性; (2)胡杨根细胞液泡对Na+的区隔化能力较弱(与区隔Cl-相比).另外,盐胁迫下胡杨能保持对营养元素K+、Ca2+和Mg2+的吸收,这也是其抗盐性强的重要原因.     

Na^＋ and Water Uptake in Relation to the Radial Reflection Coefficient of Root in Arrowleaf Saltbush Under Salt Stress

The response of halophyte arrowleaf saltbush (Atriplex triangularis Willd) plants to a gradient of salt stress were investigated with hydroponically cultured seedlings. Under salt stress, both the Na+ uptake into root xylem and negative pressures in xylem vessels increased with the elevation of salinity (up to 500 mol/m3) in the root environment. However, the increment in negative pressures in root xylem far from matches the decrease in the osmotic potential of the root bathing solutions, even when the osmotic potential of xylem sap is taken into consideration. The total water potential of xylem sap in arrowleaf saltbush roots was close to the osmotic potential of root bathing solutions when the salt stress was low, but a progressively increased gap between the water potential of xylem sap and the osmotic potential of root bathing solutions was observed when the salinity in the root environment was enhanced. The maximum gap was 1.4 MPa at a salinity level of 500 mol/m3 without apparent dehydration of the tested plants. This discrepancy could not be explained with the current theories in plant physiology. The radial reflection coefficient of root in arrowleaf saltbush decreased with the enhanced salt stress was and accompanied by an increase in the Na+ uptake into xylem sap. However, the relative Na+ in xylem exudates based on the corresponding NaCl concentration in the root bathing solutions showed a tendency of decrease. The results showed that the reduction in the radial reflection coefficient of roots in the arrowleaf saltbush did not lead to a mass influx of NaCl into xylem when the radial reflection coefficient of the root was considerably small; and that arrowleaf saltbush could use small xylem pressures to counterbalance the salt stresses, either with the uptake of large amounts of salt, or with the development of xylem pressures dangerously negative. This strategy could be one of the mechanisms behind the high resistance of arrowleaf saltbush plants to salt stress.     

Na~ and Water Uptake in Relation to the Radial Reflection Coefficient of Root in Arrowleaf Saltbush Under Salt Stress

The response of halophyte arrowleaf saltbush(Atriplex triangularis Willd)plants to a gradient of salt stress were investigatedwith hydroponically cultured seedlings.Under salt stress,both the Na~ uptake into root xylem and negative pressures inxylem vessels increased with the elevation of salinity(up to 500 mol/m~3)in the root environment.However,the increment innegative pressures in root xylem far from matches the decrease in the osmotic potential of the root bathing solutions,evenwhen the osmotic potential of xylem sap is taken into consideration.The total water potential of xylem sap in arrowleafsaltbush roots was close to the osmotic potential of root bathing solutions when the salt stress was low,but a progressivelyincreased gap between the water potential of xylem sap and the osmotic potential of root bathing solutions was observedwhen the salinity in the root environment was enhanced.The maximum gap was 1.4 MPa at a salinity level of 500 mol/m~3without apparent dehydration of the tested plants.This discrepancy could not be explained with the current theories inplant physiology.The radial reflection coefficient of root in arrowleaf saltbush decreased with the enhanced salt stress wasand accompanied by an increase in the Na~ uptake into xylem sap.However,the relative Na~ in xylem exudates based onthe corresponding NaCl concentration in the root bathing solutions showed a tendency of decrease.The results showedthat the reduction in the radial reflection coefficient of roots in the arrowleaf saltbush did not lead to a mass influx of NaClinto xylem when the radial reflection coefficient of the root was considerably small;and that arrowleaf saltbush could usesmall xylem pressures to counterbalance the salt stresses,either with the uptake of large amounts of salt,or with thedevelopment of xylem pressures dangerously negative.This strategy could be one of the mechanisms behind the highresistance of arrowleaf saltbush plants to salt stress.     

Evaluation of water stress control with polyethylene glycols by analysis of guttation

The water relations of pepper plants (Capsicum frutescens L.) under conditions conducive to guttation were studied to evaluate the control of plant water stress with polyethylene glycols. The addition of polyethylene glycol 6000 to the nutrient solution resulted in water relations similar to those expected in soil at the same water potentials. Specifically, xylem pressure potential in the root and leaf became more negative during a 24-hour treatment period, while osmotic potential of the root xylem sap remained constant. The decrease in pressure potential was closely correlated with the decrease in osmotic potential of the nutrient solution. In contrast, the addition of polyethylene glycol 400 to the nutrient medium resulted in a reduction of osmotic potential in the root xylem sap; this osmotic adjustment in the xylem was large enough to establish an osmotic gradient for entry of water and cause guttation at a nutrient solution osmotic potential of −4.8 bars. Pressure potential in the root and leaf xylem became negative only at nutrient solution osmotic potentials lower than −4.8 bars. About half of the xylem osmotic adjustment in the presence of polyethylene glycol 400 was caused by increased accumulation of K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ in the root xylem. These studies indicate that larger polyethylene glycol molecules such as polyethylene glycol 6000 are more useful for simulating soil water stress than smaller molecules such as polyethylene glycol 400.     

High Molecular Weight Organic Compounds in the Xylem Sap of Mangroves: Implications for Long-Distance Water Transport

The rise of sap in mangroves has puzzled plant physiologists for many decades. The current consensus is that negative pressures in the xylem exist which are sufficiently high to exceed the osmotic pressure of seawater (2.5 MPa). This implies that the radial reflection coefficients of the mangrove roots are equal to unity. However, direct pressure probe measurements in xylem vessels of the roots and stems of mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) grown in the laboratory or in the field yielded below-atmospheric, positive (absolute) pressure values. Slightly negative pressure values were recorded only occasionally. Xylem pressure did not change significantly when the plants were transferred from tap water to solutions containing up to 1700 mOsmol kg^?1 NaCl. This indicates that the radial reflection coefficient of the roots for salt, and therefore the effective osmotic pressure of the external solution, was essentially zero as already reported for other halophytes. The low values of xylem tension measured with the xylem pressure probe were consistent with previously published data obtained using the vacuum/leafy twig technique. Values of xylem tension determined with these two methods were nearly two orders of magnitude smaller than those estimated for mangrove using the pressure chamber technique (?3 to ?6MPa). Xylem pressure probe measurements and staining experiments with alcian blue and other dyes gave strong evidence that the xylem vessels contained viscous, mucilage- and/or protein-related compounds. Production of these compounds resulting from wound or other artifactual reactions was excluded. The very low sap flow rates of about 20–50 cm h^?1 measured in these mangrove plants were consistent with the presence of high molecular weight polymeric substances in the xylem sap. The presence of viscous substances in the xylem sap of mangroves has the following implications for traditional xylem pressure measurement techniques, development of xylem tension, and longdistance water transport: (1) high external balancing pressures in the pressure chamber are needed to force xylem sap to the cut surface of the twig; (2) stable tensions much larger than 0.1 MPa can be developed only occasionally because viscous solutions provide nucleation sites for gas bubble formation; (3) the frequent presence of small gas bubbles in viscous solutions allows water transport by interfacial, gravity-independent streaming at gas/water interfaces and (4) the increased density of viscous solutions creates (gravity-dependent) convectional flows. Density-driven convectional flows and interfacial streaming, but also the very low radial reflection coefficient of the roots to NaCl are apparently the means by which R. mangle maintains water transport to its leaves despite the high salinity of the environment.     

Water relations in silver birch during springtime: How is sap pressurised?

• Positive sap pressures are produced in the xylem of birch trees in boreal conditions during the time between the thawing of the soil and bud break. During this period, xylem embolisms accumulated during wintertime are refilled with water. The mechanism for xylem sap pressurization and its environmental drivers are not well known.
• We measured xylem sap flow, xylem sap pressure, xylem sap osmotic concentration, xylem and whole stem diameter changes, and stem and root non‐structural carbohydrate concentrations, along with meteorological conditions at two sites in Finland during and after the sap pressurisation period.
• The diurnal dynamics of xylem sap pressure and sap flow during the sap pressurisation period varied, but were more often opposite to the diurnal pattern after bud burst, i.e. sap pressure increased and sap flow rate mostly decreased when temperature increased. Net conversion of soluble sugars to starch in the stem and roots occurred during the sap pressurisation period. Xylem sap osmotic pressure was small in comparison to total sap pressure, and it did not follow changes in environmental conditions or tree water relations.
• Based on these findings, we suggest that xylem sap pressurisation and embolism refilling occur gradually over a few weeks through water transfer from parenchyma cells to xylem vessels during daytime, and then the parenchyma are refilled mostly during nighttime by water uptake from soil. Possible drivers for water transfer from parenchyma cells to vessels are discussed. Also the functioning of thermal dissipation probes in conditions of changing stem water content is discussed.

     

A technique to measure root tip hydraulic conductivity and root water potential simultaneously

A procedure for the simultaneous measurement of hydraulic conductivityand xylem water potential of roots is presented. Roots remainintact and attached to the transpiring plant during measurement.The rate of water uptake by roots is measured at different waterpotential gradients along the root radial axis, obtained byplacing them in solutions with different osmotic potentials.Hydraulic conductivity and xylem water potential are calculatedby regression analysis of the relationship between water uptakerate and osmotic potential of the bathing solution, assumingthat xylem water potential and reflection coefficient remainconstant during measurement. Results for tomato plants experiencingdrought are presented and discussed. Key words: Root, hydraulic conductivity, water potential     

Sap salinity effects on xylem conductivity in two mangrove species

Xylem sap salinity and conductivity were examined in two mangrove ecosystem tree species . For Avicennia germinans , extracted xylem sap osmotic potentials ranged from −0.24 to −1.36 MPa versus −0.14 to −0.56 MPa for Conocarpus erectus. Xylem sap of Conocarpus did not vary in osmotic potential between sites nor between predawn and midday. In Avicennia , values were more negative at midday than predawn, and also more negative at hypersaline than hyposaline sites. After removing embolisms, specific conductivity ( K _s) was measured as a function of salinity of the artificial xylem sap perfusion. For both species the lowest K _s values, about 70% of the maximum K _s, were obtained when stems were perfused with deionized water (0 m m ; 0.0 MPa) or with a 557-m m saline solution (−2.4 MPa). Higher K _s values were obtained in the range from −0.3 to −1.2 MPa, with a peak at −0.82 ± 0.08 MPa for Avicennia and −0.75 ± 0.08 MPa for Conocarpus . The variations in K _s values with minima both at very low and very high salt concentrations were consistent with published results for swelling and shrinking of synthetic hydrogels, suggesting native hydrogels in pit membranes of vessels could help regulate conductivity.     

Osmotic Stress and Ion-Specific Effects on Xylem Abscisic Acid and the Relevance to Salinity Tolerance in Poplar

We designed two experiments to investigate the osmotic stress and ion-specific effects on xylem abscisic acid (ABA) and the relevance to salinity tolerance in one-year-old seedlings of Populus euphratica Oliv. (a salt-resistant genotype) and one-year-old rooted cuttings of P. 'popularis 35-44' (P. popularis) (a salt-sensitive genotype). Net photosynthetic rates (Pn) and unit transpiration rates (TRN) of the two genotypes were significantly decreased upon osmotic shock caused by PEG 6000 (osmotic potential = -0.24 MPa) or iso-NaCl (50 mM). Shoot xylem ABA concentrations in both genotypes increased rapidly after the onset of PEG stress, resulting from a decreased water flow. NaCl-treated trees of P. euphratica maintained considerably greater concentrations of ABA than PEG-treated plants in a longer term, whereas salinized P. popularis exhibited a transient accumulation of ABA in the shoot. TRN was greatly enhanced in both genotypes when pressure (0.24 MPa) was applied to counteract the osmotic suction of 50 mM NaCl. Pressurizing of root systems diluted solutes in the root xylem, but the dilution effect was more pronounced in P. popularis. Root xylem ABA concentrations in P. euphratica steadily increased with salt stress although pressurization lowered its levels. In contrast, there were no observed changes in ABA response to salinity in pressured P. popularis. Therefore, we concluded that the salt-tolerant P. euphratica had a greater capacity to synthesize ABA under saline conditions, which may partially result from specific salt effects. In addition, P. euphratica exhibited a higher capacity for salt (Na+ and Cl-) transport control under salt stress, compared with P. popularis. The possible association between ABA and salt transport limitation, and the relevance to salinity tolerance were discussed.     

Enhanced salt tolerance mediated by AtHKT1 transporter-induced Na unloading from xylem vessels to xylem parenchyma cells

AtHKT1 is a sodium (Na+) transporter that functions in mediating tolerance to salt stress. To investigate the membrane targeting of AtHKT1 and its expression at the translational level, antibodies were generated against peptides corresponding to the first pore of AtHKT1. Immunoelectron microscopy studies using anti-AtHKT1 antibodies demonstrate that AtHKT1 is targeted to the plasma membrane in xylem parenchyma cells in leaves. AtHKT1 expression in xylem parenchyma cells was also confirmed by AtHKT1 promoter-GUS reporter gene analyses. Interestingly, AtHKT1 disruption alleles caused large increases in the Na+ content of the xylem sap and conversely reduced the Na+ content of the phloem sap. The athkt1 mutant alleles had a smaller and inverse influence on the potassium (K+) content compared with the Na+ content of the xylem, suggesting that K+ transport may be indirectly affected. The expression of AtHKT1 was modulated not only by the concentrations of Na+ and K+ but also by the osmolality of non-ionic compounds. These findings show that AtHKT1 selectively unloads sodium directly from xylem vessels to xylem parenchyma cells. AtHKT1 mediates osmolality balance between xylem vessels and xylem parenchyma cells under saline conditions. Thus AtHKT1 reduces the sodium content in xylem vessels and leaves, thereby playing a central role in protecting plant leaves from salinity stress.