Grafting onto Cucurbita moschata rootstock alleviates salt stress in cucumber plants by delaying photoinhibition

To determine how the use of a given rootstock can influence the functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus of the scion under salt stress, the growth, gas exchange, photosystem II (PSII) efficiency, xanthophyll cycle, and chloroplast ultrastructure of nongrafted, self-grafted, and pumpkin-grafted (hereafter referred to as rootstock-grafted) cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants were investigated at day 15 after being treated with 90 mM NaCl. The reductions in plant growth of the rootstock-grafted plants were lower than those of the nongrafted and self-grafted plants under 90 mM NaCl. The net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, maximal and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, photochemical quenching coefficient, and effective quantum-use efficiency of PSII in the light-adapted state of the nongrafted and self-grafted plants were significantly decreased under 90 mM NaCl. However, these reductions were alleviated when the cucumber plants were grafted onto the pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) rootstock. The intercellular CO₂ concentrations were significantly increased in the nongrafted and self-grafted plants under 90 mM NaCl, whereas it was decreased in the rootstock-grafted plants. Nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) and the deepoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle were significantly increased under 90 mM NaCl, particularly in the rootstockgrafted plants, suggesting the rootstock-grafted plants had higher potential to dissipate excess excitation energy and reduce the probability of photodamage to PSII. Under 90 mM NaCl, the number of grana was reduced, the thylakoids were swollen, and starch granules accumulated in all plants. However, the damage of chloroplast ultrastructure was alleviated in the rootstock-grafted plants. Taken together, the use of C. moschata rootstock alleviated salt stress in cucumber plants by delaying photoinhibition, probably due to a lower incidence of both stomatal and nonstomatal factors limiting photosynthesis.     

Effects of salt-tolerant rootstock grafting on ultrastructure,photosynthetic capacity,and H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>-scavenging system in chloroplasts of cucumber seedlings under NaCl stress

Plant growth, photosynthetic parameters, chloroplast ultrastructure, and the ascorbate-glutathione cycle system in chloroplasts of self-grafted and rootstock-grafted cucumber leaves were investigated. Grafted plants were grown hydroponically and were exposed to 0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl concentrations for 10 days. Under NaCl stress, the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content in cucumber chloroplasts increased, the chloroplast ultrastructure was damaged, and the gas stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration, as well as shoot dry weight, plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, and leaf relative water content were inhibited, whereas these changes were less severe in rootstock-grafted plants. The activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11), glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2), and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR EC 1.8.5.1) were higher in the chloroplasts of rootstock-grafted plants compared with those of self-grafted plants under 50 and 100 mM NaCl. Similar trends were shown in leaf net CO₂ assimilation rate and transpiration rate, as well as reduced glutathione content under 100 mM NaCl. Results suggest that rootstock grafting enhances the H₂O₂-scavenging capacity of the ascorbate–glutathione cycle in cucumber chloroplasts under NaCl stress, thereby protecting the chloroplast structure and improving the photosynthetic performance of cucumber leaves. As a result, cucumber growth is promoted.     

Bottle gourd rootstock-grafting affects nitrogen metabolism in NaCl-stressed watermelon leaves and enhances short-term salt tolerance

The plant growth, nitrogen absorption, and assimilation in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus [Thunb.] Mansf.) were investigated in self-grafted and grafted seedlings using the salt-tolerant bottle gourd rootstock Chaofeng Kangshengwang (Lagenaria siceraria Standl.) exposed to 100 mM NaCl for 3 d. The biomass and NO₃⁻ uptake rate were significantly increased by rootstock while these values were remarkably decreased by salt stress. However, compared with self-grafted plants, rootstock-grafted plants showed higher salt tolerance with higher biomass and NO₃⁻ uptake rate under salt stress. Salinity induced strong accumulation of nitrate, ammonium and protein contents and a significant decrease of nitrogen content and the activities of nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), glutamine synthetase (GS), and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) in leaves of self-grafted seedlings. In contrast, salt stress caused a remarkable decrease in nitrate content and the activities of GS and GOGAT, and a significant increase of ammonium, protein, and nitrogen contents and NR activity, in leaves of rootstock-grafted seedlings. Compared with that of self-grafted seedlings, the ammonium content in leaves of rootstock-grafted seedlings was much lower under salt stress. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity was notably enhanced in leaves of rootstock-grafted seedlings, whereas it was significantly inhibited in leaves of self-grafted seedlings, under salinity stress. Three GDH isozymes were isolated by native gel electrophoresis and their expressions were greatly enhanced in leaves of rootstock-grafted seedlings than those of self-grafted seedlings under both normal and salt-stress conditions. These results indicated that the salt tolerance of rootstock-grafted seedlings might (be enhanced) owing to the higher nitrogen absorption and the higher activities of enzymes for nitrogen assimilation induced by the rootstock. Furthermore, the detoxification of ammonium by GDH when the GS/GOGAT pathway was inhibited under salt stress might play an important role in the release of salt stress in rootstock-grafted seedlings.     

Rootstocks improve cucumber photosynthesis through nitrogen metabolism regulation under salt stress

We examined the growth, photosynthetic parameters, initial and total ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activity, the relative expression of rbcL, rbcS, and rca gene, and nitrogen metabolism of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Jinchun No.2, CS) plants grafted onto figleaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché, CF) and pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch. cv. Chaojiquanwang, CM) rootstocks. Growth inhibition under salt stress (90 mM NaCl) was characterized by the irreversible inhibition of CO₂ assimilation in the cucumber plants grafted onto cucumber rootstocks (CS/CS). In contrast, this effect was significantly alleviated by grafting the cucumber plants onto the CF and CM roots (CS/CF, CS/CM). Under NaCl stress, the CS/CF and CS/CM plants exhibited higher photosynthetic activity, higher initial and total Rubisco activity, and higher Rubisco-related gene expression than the CS/CS plants. Salinity resulted in a lesser increase in nitrate content and decrease in free amino acid content in the CS/CF and the CS/CM plants compared with the CS/CS plants. Accordingly, the activity of nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase, and glutamate synthase decreased significantly, especially in the CS/CS plants. These results suggest that grafting cucumber plants onto salt-tolerant rootstocks enhances Rubisco activity and the expression of Rubisco-related genes by effectively accelerating nitrate transformation into amino acids under NaCl stress, thereby improving the photosynthetic performance of cucumber leaves.     

Salicylic Acid Induces Salinity Tolerance in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Roma): Associated Changes in Gas Exchange, Water Relations and Membrane Stabilisation

The present study investigates the role of salicylic acid (SA) in inducing plant tolerance to salinity. The application of 0.1 mM SA to tomato [Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.] plants via root drenching provided protection against 150 mM or 200 mM NaCl stress. SA treated plants had greater survival and relative shoot growth rate compared to untreated plants when exposed to salt stress. At 200 mM salt, shoot growth rates were approximately 4 times higher in SA treated plants than untreated plants. Application of SA increased photosynthetic rates in salt stressed plants and may have contributed to the enhanced survival. Transpiration rates and stomatal conductance were also significantly higher in SA treated plants under saline stress conditions. SA application reduced electrolyte leakage by 44% in 150 mM NaCl and 32% in 200 mM NaCl, compared to untreated plants, indicating possible protection of integrity of the cellular membrane. Beneficial effects of SA in saline conditions include sustaining the photosynthetic/transpiration activity and consequently growth, and may have contributed to the reduction or total avoidance of necrosis. SA, when used in appropriate concentrations, alleviates salinity stress without compromising the plants ability for growth under a favourable environment.     

Photosystem II photochemistry and physiological parameters of three fodder shrubs, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nitraria retusa</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atriplex halimus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago arborea</Emphasis> under salt stress

Nitraria retusa and Atriplex halimus (xero-halophytes) plants were grown in the range 0–800 mM NaCl while Medicago arborea (glycophyte) in 0–300 mM NaCl. Salt stress caused a marked decrease in osmotic potential and a significant accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in leaves of both species. Moderate salinity had a stimulating effect on growth rate, net CO₂ assimilation, transpiration and stomatal conductance for the xero-halophytic species. At higher salinities, these physiological parameters decreased significantly, and their percentages of reduction were higher in A. halimus than in N. retusa whereas, in M. arborea they decreased linearly with salinity. Nitraria retusa PSII photochemistry and carotenoid content were unaffected by salinity, but a reduction in chlorophyll content was observed at 800 mM NaCl. Similar results were found in A. halimus, but with a decrease in the efficiency of PSII (F′v/F′m) occurred at 800 mM. Conversely, in M. arborea plants we observed a significant reduction in pigment concentrations and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The marked toxic effect of Na⁺ and/or Cl⁻ observed in M. arborea indicates that salt damage effect could be attributed to ions’ toxicity, and that the reduction in photosynthesis is most probably due to damages in the photosynthetic apparatus rather than factors affecting stomatal closure. For the two halophyte species, it appears that there is occurrence of co-limitation of photosynthesis by stomatal and non-stomatal factors. Our results suggest that both N. retusa and A. halimus show high tolerance to both high salinity and photoinhibition while M. arborea was considered as a slightly salt tolerant species.     

盐胁迫对沙拐枣光合生理特性的影响

以采自甘肃民勤一年生的沙拐枣幼苗为试材,对不同NaCl浓度(0、50、100、200、300mmol·L~(-1))处理下沙拐枣光合生理特性进行分析,并对各生理指标与地上生物量进行灰色关联度分析,以探讨荒漠植物沙拐枣的抗盐机理,为沙拐枣的保护及其恢复荒漠生态系统稳定提供理论依据。结果显示:随着NaCl浓度的升高,沙拐枣同化枝内脯氨酸含量逐渐增大,而其可溶性糖含量逐渐减小;在低浓度NaCl(50mmol·L~(-1) NaCl)处理下,同化枝光合参数均增加,且净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)均达到最大值,比对照分别显著增加了33.3%、68.0%、60.8%;与50mmol·L~(-1) NaCl相比,处理浓度超过50mmol·L~(-1) NaCl时,Pn、Gs、Tr均降低;同化枝叶绿素b含量随着NaCl浓度的增加而降低,而叶绿素a和总叶绿素含量均呈先增加后降低的趋势。灰色关联度分析发现,同化枝的Tr、Gs、Ci以及叶绿素b与地上生物量的关联度较大。研究表明,低盐浓度NaCl激活了沙拐枣的某些生理机制,有利于植株的光合作用和生长,而植物在高盐浓度胁迫时能通过调节脯氨酸和可溶性糖的含量,减少叶绿素含量、Pn和Tr等维持自身的生长。     

Leaf morphological plasticity and stomatal conductance in three Populus alba L. genotypes subjected to salt stress

The effect of salt stress on leaf morphology and functionality was studied in three Populus alba genotypes differing in tolerance to salinity: 6K3 (sensitive), 2AS11 (moderately tolerant), and 14P11 (tolerant). Plants were subjected to an intense and progressive salt stress from 50 to 250 mM NaCl by 50 mM steps at 10-day intervals. The micromorphological results highlighted phenotypic variation among the three genotypes already in control plants, with the genotype 14P11 having significantly smaller epidermal cells and higher stomatal density. Salt-treated plants modulated differently the expansion of stomata compared with epidermal cells. Regression analysis showed significant correlations between decrease of stomatal area and stomatal conductance (g_s) in genotypes 14P11 and 6K3. So, the common reduction of stomatal area could be an early mechanism to save water in this species. However, only genotype 14P11 showed further significant decrease of this trait under the highest salinity level, combined with a significant reduction in leaf length. In addition, this genotype showed the lowest leaf abscission rate at the end of salt stress period. The genotype 6K3 was severely affected by leaf necrosis and showed the highest leaf abscission rate in salt stress conditions. In the moderately tolerant genotype 2AS11, an intermediate plastic behaviour in both leaf morphology and physiology was observed during the experiment. The phenotypic variation among the three genotypes in terms of micromorphology and stomatal conductance is discussed in relation to plant functionality in salt stress conditions. Overall results suggest that leaf morphological habit contributes to salt tolerance in P. alba.     

Temperature and salinity regulation of growth and gas exchange of Salicornia fruticosa (L.) L.

Summary Salicornia fruticosa was collected from a salt marsh on the Mediterranean sea coast in Libya. Growth and gas exchange of this C₃ species were monitered in plants pretreated at various NaCl concentrations (0, 171, 342, 513 and 855 mM). Maximum growth was at 171 mM NaCl under cool growth conditions (20/10° C) and at 342 mM NaCl under warm growth conditions (30/15° C) with minimum growth at 0 mM NaCl (control). Net photosynthesis (Pn) was greatest in plants grown in 171 mM NaCl with plants grown at 513 and 855 mM having lowest rates. Maximum Pn was at 20–25° C shoot temperatures with statistically significant reductions at 30° C in control plants while salt treated plants showed such reductions at 35° C. Salt treatments increased dark respiration over the control at 171 and 342 mM but reduced it at higher concentrations. Photorespiration was reduced by salt treatment and increased by increasing shoot temperature. Greatest transpiration was in 171 mM NaCl treated plants and increasing shoot temperature increased transpiration in all treatments. Stomatal resistance to CO₂ influx was influenced only moderately by temperature while increasing salinity resulted in increased stomatal resistance. In general both temperature and salinity increased the mesophyll resistance to CO₂ influx. The species seems adapted to the warm saline habitat along the Mediterranean sea coast, at least partially, by its ability to maintain relatively high Pn at moderate NaCl concentrations over a broad range of shoot temperatures.     

Development changes in calla lily plants due to salt stress

Soil salinity is mainly caused by excessive use of fertilizers and the use of poor quality water, and adversely affected crop growth especially when grown in protected environments. Soil salinity causes salt stress in plants, which inhibits plant growth, leading to morphological, metabolic and physiological changes. Though it is a major problem occurs more frequently, there is less information on the behavior of calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) under these conditions, and most studies are conducted with other species of the genus Zantesdeschia. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate ecophysiological, biochemical and anatomical growth responses of calla lily plants to salt stress. Rhizomes were grown in trays containing coconut fiber as a substrate and treated with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM NaCl to induce stress. A decrease in plant height was observed, as well as in the number of tillers and leaves, main root length, fresh and dry matter of the shoot and root system. A reduction in photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate was observed at 60 days. However, after 90 days, the photosynthetic rate was unchanged, with increased stomatal conductance and transpiration rate for plants exposed to 75 mM NaCl. Salt stress caused a higher accumulation of carbohydrates in shoots and roots. Thus, high concentrations of NaCl affect the development of calla lily, indicating that this species is susceptible to salt stress.     

Effect of salt stress on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in Medicago truncatula

In the present study, photosynthetic parameters including gas exchanges, pigment contents, and chlorophyll fluorescence, were compared in two contrasting local Medicago truncatula lines TN6.18 and TN8.20, in response to salt added to the nutrient solution. Plants were cultivated under symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) after inoculation with a reference strain Sinorhizobium meliloti 2011, a very tolerant strain to salinity (700 mM NaCl), and grown in a controlled glasshouse. On one month old plants (with active SNF), salt treatment (75 mM NaCl) was gradually applied. Photosynthesis, assimilating pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence were monitored throughout the experiment during both short and long terms, compared to control (non-saline) conditions. A genotypic variation in salt tolerance was found; TN6.18 was the more sensitive to salinity. The relative tolerance of TN8.20 was concomitant with the highest photochemical quenching coefficient (q_P) affecting the maximum quantum yield of PSII (Y); the real quantum yield (?_exc) was the most affected in the sensitive line. Moreover, stomatal and PSII reaction centers activities differed clearly between the studied lines. We found that the effect of salinity on photosynthesis of M. truncatula was related to PSII activity reduction rather than to stomatal conductance limitation. Photosynthesis was reduced by the inhibition of CO₂ assimilation caused by PSII damage. This was clearly estimated by the Y, ?_exc and especially by the quantum yield of electron transport of PSII (Φ_PSII). Thus, on the basis of our results on the two local M. truncatula lines, we recommend the use of chlorophyll fluorescence as non-destructive screening method to discriminate susceptible and resistant legumes to salt stress.     

Effect of CaCl2 on growth performance, photosynthetic efficiency and nitrogen assimilation of Cichorium intybus L. grown under NaCl stress

Pot culture experiments were conducted to assess the extent of growth, photosynthetic efficiency and nitrogen assimilation of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) as affected by NaCl and CaCl₂ alone as well as in combination. Six treatments, i.e., 80 mM and 160 mM NaCl, 5 mM and 10 mM CaCl₂ and 80 mM + 10 mM and 160 mM + 10 mM of NaCl + CaCl₂ were given to the growing plants separately at three developmental stages, viz., the pre-flowering (30 DAS), flowering (120 DAS) and post-flowering (150 DAS) stages. Each NaCl treatment caused a significant reduction in total plant biomass, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, total chlorophyll content, soluble protein content, NR activity and nitrogen content, although nitrate content increased. On the contrary CaCl₂ treatment gave a favorable effect, compared to the control. The effect of combined treatments was similar to that of NaCl but less in magnitude. Thus, the application of CaCl₂ may mitigate the adverse effect caused by NaCl.     

Kinetin improves photosynthetic and antioxidant responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nigella sativa</Emphasis> to counteract salt stress

The present study involves analysis of growth, photosynthesis, oxidant (H₂O₂) accumulation, and antioxidant enzyme activities in Nigella sativa L. as affected by foliar kinetin (KIN) application during salt stress. The test plants were treated with 75 or 150 mM NaCl since germination and sprayed with either water or 10 μM KIN in 25 days after emergence. Salt stress, especially at the higher NaCl concentration, was found to induce a substantial decrease in leaf relative water content and subsequently in leaf area and stomatal conductance; chlorophyll content and δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) activity were also affected, resulting in the lower net photosynthetic rate and dry matter production. Moreover, H₂O₂ content increased in the salt-treated plants, concomitant with an increase in superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities; however, the activity of catalase declined. Meanwhile KIN was found to reduce appreciably the adverse effects of salinity, besides favorably modulating antioxidant enzyme activities and alleviating oxidative stress in the test plants, to result in a higher yield as compared to the untreated stressed plants. Overall, the results indicate an optimization of antioxidant defense mechanisms and physiological processes by KIN and a significant role of exogenous phytohormones in conferring salt tolerance.     

Effects of silicon on photosynthesis,water relations and nutrient uptake of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> under NaCl stress

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of silicon application on Phaseolus vulgaris L. under two levels of salt stress (30 and 60 mM NaCl in the irrigation water). Salinity significantly reduced growth, stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate, and increased Na⁺ and Cl⁻ content mainly in roots. Silicon application enhanced growth of salt stressed plants, significantly reduced Na⁺ content especially in leaves and counterbalanced the effects of NaCl on gas exchange; the effect was more evident at 30 mM NaCl. Cl⁻ content in shoots and roots was not significantly modified by silicon application; the drop in K⁺ content caused by salinity was partially counterbalanced by silicon, especially in roots.     

Diffusional conductance to CO2 is the key limitation to photosynthesis in salt‐stressed leaves of rice (Oryza sativa)

Salinity significantly limits leaf photosynthesis but the factors causing the limitation in salt‐stressed leaves remain unclear. In the present work, photosynthetic and biochemical traits were investigated in four rice genotypes under two NaCl concentration (0 and 150 mM) to assess the stomatal, mesophyll and biochemical contributions to reduced photosynthetic rate (A) in salt‐stressed leaves. Our results indicated that salinity led to a decrease in A, leaf osmotic potential, electron transport rate and CO₂ concentrations in the chloroplasts (C_c) of rice leaves. Decreased A in salt‐stressed leaves was mainly attributable to low C_c, which was determined by stomatal and mesophyll conductance. The increased stomatal limitation was mainly related to the low leaf osmotic potential caused by soil salinity. However, the increased mesophyll limitation in salt‐stressed leaves was related to both osmotic stress and ion stress. These findings highlight the importance of considering mesophyll conductance when developing salinity‐tolerant rice cultivars.     

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.     

Effects of various mixed salt-alkaline stresses on growth,photosynthesis, and photosynthetic pigment concentrations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago ruthenica</Emphasis> seedlings

Soil salinization and alkalinization frequently co-occur in naturally saline and alkaline soils. To understand the characteristics of mixed salt-alkali stress and adaptive response of Medicago ruthenica seedlings to salt-alkali stress, water content of shoots, growth and photosynthetic characteristics of seedlings under 30 salt-alkaline combinations (salinity 24–120 mM and pH 7.03–10.32) with mixed salts (NaCl, Na₂SO₄, NaHCO₃, and Na₂CO₃) were examined. The indices were significantly affected by both salinity and pH. The interactive effects between salt and alkali stresses were significant, except for photosynthetic pigments. Water content of shoots, relative growth rates of shoots and roots and pigment concentrations showed decreasing trends with increasing salinity and alkalinity. The root activity under high alkalinity and salinity treatments gradually decreased, but was stimulated by the combined effects of low alkalinity and salinity. The survival rate decreased with increased salinity, except at pH 7.03–7.26 when all plants survived. Net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and intercellular CO₂ concentration decreased with increased salinity and pH. M. ruthenica tolerated the stress of high salt concentration when alkali concentration was low, and the synergistic effects of high alkali and high salt concentrations lead to the death of some or all seedlings. M. ruthenica appeared to be saltalkali tolerant. Reducing the salt concentration or pH based on the salt components in the soil may be helpful to abate damage from mixed salt-alkaline stress.     

Abscisic Acid Reduces Leaf Abscission and Increases Salt Tolerance in Citrus Plants

This paper describes the physiological effects of abscisic acid (ABA) and 100 mM NaCl on citrus plants. Water potential, leaf abscission, ethylene production, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and chloride accumulation in roots and leaves were measured in plants of Salustiana scion [Citrus sinensis (L) Osbeck] grafted onto Carrizo citrange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck × Poncirus trifoliata [L.] Raf) rootstock. Plants under salt stress accumulated high amounts of chloride, increased ethylene production, and induced leaf abscission. Stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rates rapidly dropped after salinization. The addition of 10 mM ABA to the nutrient solution 10 days before the exposure to salt stress reduced ethylene release and leaf abscission. These effects were probably due to a decrease in the accumulation of toxic Cl- ions in leaves. In non-salinized plants, ABA reduced stomatal conductance and CO2 assimilation, whereas in salinized plants the treatment slightly increased these two parameters. The results suggest a protective role for ABA in citrus under salinity.     

Effects of salt stress on photosynthesis,PSII photochemistry and thermal energy dissipation in leaves of two corn (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) varieties

The effect of four different NaCl concentrations (from 0 to 102 mM NaCl) on seedlings leaves of two corn (Zea mays L.) varieties (Aristo and Arper) was investigated through chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence parameters, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic pigments concentration, tissue hydration and ionic accumulation. Salinity treatments showed a decrease in maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F_v/F_m) in dark-adapted leaves. Moreover, the actual PSII efficiency (ϕ_PSII), photochemical quenching coefficient (q_p), proportion of PSII centers effectively reoxidized, and the fraction of light used in PSII photochemistry (%P) were also dropped with increasing salinity in light-adapted leaves. Reductions in these parameters were greater in Aristo than in Arper. The tissue hydration decreased in salt-treated leaves as did the photosynthesis, stomatal conductance (g _s) and photosynthetic pigments concentration essentially at 68 and 102 mM NaCl. In both varieties the reduction of photosynthesis was mainly due to stomatal closure and partially to PSII photoinhibition. The differences between the two varieties indicate that Aristo was more susceptible to salt-stress damage than Arper which revealed a moderate regulation of the leaf ionic accumulation.     

Growth and Metabolism of Senna as Affected by Salt Stress

Pot culture experiments were conducted using different NaCl concentrations to assess their impact on the growth and metabolic changes in senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.). Five treatments (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 mM NaCl) were given to the plants at three phenological stages, i.e. at pre-flowering, (45 days after sowing, DAS); flowering (75 DAS) and post-flowering (90 DAS) stages. A significant reduction in the biomass and length of the roots and shoots, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, the total chlorophyll content, protein content, nitrate reductase activity, and reduced nitrogen content of the leaves was observed at each phenological stage with each salt concentration applied. Contrary to this, proline and nitrate contents of the leaves increased markedly. The post-flowering stage was most sensitive to NaCl treatment.