丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)对盐胁迫下芦笋幼苗生长及体内Na~+、K~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)含量和分布的影响

以芦笋盐敏感品种‘NJ978’为材料,采用盆栽试验,研究了接种丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)对Na Cl胁迫下芦笋幼苗生长及体内Na+、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+吸收和分布的影响。结果表明:在Na Cl胁迫下,幼苗株高、鲜重、干重均显著降低,接种AMF可以有效缓解盐胁迫对芦笋幼苗生长的抑制;Na Cl处理的芦笋幼苗根系和地上部Na+含量显著高于对照,K+、Ca2+、Mg2+的含量则显著减少;AMF+Na Cl处理的芦笋幼苗根系K+、Ca2+、Mg2+含量与Na Cl处理相比,分别增加了76.9%、23.1%和22.5%,而Na+含量则减少了27.4%;AMF+Na Cl处理的芦笋幼苗地上部K+、Ca2+、Mg2+含量与Na Cl处理相比,分别增加了58.4%、50.4%和76.0%,而Na+含量则减少了42.3%。与Na Cl处理相比,接种AMF可以降低盐胁迫下芦笋幼苗根系和地上部Na+/K+、Na+/Ca2+、Na+/Mg2+,提高根系选择吸收性ASK,Na、ASCa,Na、ASMg,Na和根系向地上部的选择运输性TSK,Na、TSCa,Na、TSMg,Na。由此表明,盐胁迫下接种AMF可以通过调节芦笋体内的离子平衡,从而缓解盐胁迫对植株的伤害。     

外源硝酸钙对黄瓜幼苗盐胁迫伤害的缓解作用

采用营养液水培法,以较耐盐黄瓜品种'新泰密刺'为试材,研究了叶面喷施硝酸钙对盐胁迫(NaCl 65 mmol·L-1)下黄瓜幼苗生长、叶绿素含量、膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)、脯氨酸及不同部位离子含量的影响.结果表明,叶面喷施硝酸钙能够显著提高盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的干鲜重、相对含水量和叶片叶绿素含量,显著减少MDA及渗透调节物质脯氨酸的积累;同时可显著降低盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗体内Na+和Cl-含量,提高K+、Ca2+含量和 K+/Na+、Ca2+/Na+.可见,外源硝酸钙能缓解盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗的失水程度和光合色素的下降幅度,保护膜的完整性,调节离子选择性吸收,从而减轻盐胁迫伤害,促进黄瓜植株生长.     

NaCl胁迫对玉米幼苗不同器官离子含量的影响

在实验室水培条件下,研究了NaCl胁迫下玉米幼苗不同器官中Na+、K+,Ca2+,Mg 2+和Cl-含量的变化.结果表明:玉米各个部分Na+和Cl-含量、Na+/K+和Na+/Ca2+比值均随着培养液中NaCl浓度的增加而迅速提高,Na+,K+和Cl-含量的变化幅度为根系>成熟叶叶鞘>生长叶>成熟叶叶片,玉米幼苗根系最易受外界离子浓度的影响,叶片受外界环境影响较小;各器官中Ca2+、Mg2+对盐胁迫的响应不一致,NaCl胁迫使根系中Ca2+、Mg2+含量下降,成熟叶叶鞘中Mg2+含量变化规律性不明显,而NaCl胁迫下,成熟叶叶片中Ca2+、Mg2+含量增加;玉米幼苗具有拒Na+机制,具有一定的耐盐性,它的耐盐性是通过根和成熟叶叶鞘来实现的,Na+主要贮存在根系和成熟叶叶鞘中,而向成熟叶叶片和生长叶中运输较少;成熟叶叶鞘同时还具有拒Cl-能力.     

外源EBR对NaCl胁迫下燕麦幼苗无机离子吸收、运输和分配的影响

为了探讨外源2,4-表油菜素内酯(2,4-epibrassinolide,EBR)诱导燕麦(Avena sativa L.)幼苗抗盐性的效果及其生理调节机制,以"青引2号"和"加燕2号"燕麦为材料,研究NaCl胁迫下施用外源EBR对燕麦幼苗无机离子吸收、运输和分配的影响。结果表明:100mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,"青引2号"和"加燕2号"燕麦幼苗叶片和根系中的Na+、Cl-含量均显著升高,对阳离子的吸收产生了拮抗作用,导致燕麦幼苗叶片和根系中的K+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Mn2+、Fe2+、Zn2+、Cu2+含量显著降低,离子稳态平衡被打破;100 mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,施用0.01μmol·L-1外源EBR后,"青引2号"和"加燕2号"燕麦幼苗叶片和根系中的Na+和Cl-含量显著降低,促进了燕麦幼苗根系对K+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Fe2+、Mn2+、Cu2+和Zn2+的吸收,叶片和根系中K+/Na+、Cl-/Na+、Ca2+/Na+、Mg2+/Na+、Fe2+/Na+、Mn2+/Na+、Cu2+/Na+和Zn2+/Na+显著升高,并且有效调控燕麦幼苗体内无机离子的运输比和阳离子的运输选择性比率,离子稳态重新达到平衡状态;说明外源EBR能够缓解NaCl胁迫下Na+和Cl-对燕麦幼苗所造成的离子毒害作用,有效调控燕麦幼苗对无机离子的选择性吸收、运输和分配,对维持燕麦幼苗体内的离子稳态平衡具有正向调控作用。     

NaCl胁迫下沙枣幼苗生长和阳离子吸收、运输与分配特性

沙枣(Elaeagnus angustifolia L.)耐盐性强,是我国北方生态脆弱地区造林绿化的一个先锋树种。为探讨沙枣的盐适应机制,研究了不同浓度NaCl(0、100和200 mmol/L)胁迫30d对其水培幼苗生物量累积以及不同组织(根、茎、叶)K+、Na+、Ca2+和Mg2+吸收、运输与分配的影响。结果表明:盐胁迫不同程度地促进了沙枣苗根系生长;100 mmol/L NaCl胁迫对幼苗生物量累积无明显影响,而200 mmol/L则显著抑制了生物量累积;盐胁迫幼苗根、茎、叶中Na+含量以及K+-Na+选择性运输系数(S K,Na)和Ca2+-Na+选择性运输系数(S Ca,Na)显著或大幅度增加,而K+、Ca2+、Mg2+含量以及K+/Na+、Ca2+/Na+和Mg2+/Na+比值则显著或大幅度下降;200 mmol/L NaCl胁迫沙枣根Na+含量和根Na+净累积量分别为22.15 mg/g干重和1.87 mg/株(是对照的16.20倍和20.06倍),根成为Na+净累积量增加幅度最大的组织和Na+含量最高的组织;200 mmol/L NaCl胁迫沙枣茎、叶中的Na+含量以及冠组织Na+净累积量分别高达5.15、7.71 mg/g干重和3.29 mg/株(是对照的7.22倍、9.58倍和5.45倍),但幼苗仍能正常生长。综合分析认为,沙枣的盐适应机制是根系拒盐和冠组织耐盐,主要通过根系的补偿生长效应、根系对Na+的聚积与限制作用以及冠组织对Na+的忍耐来实现的,同时也与根、茎和叶对K+、Ca2+选择性运输能力显著增强有关。     

外源EBR对NaCl胁迫下燕麦幼苗无机离子吸收、运输和分配的影响

为了探讨外源2,4-表油菜素内酯(2,4-epibrassinolide,EBR)诱导燕麦(Avena sativa L.)幼苗抗盐性的效果及其生理调节机制,以"青引2号"和"加燕2号"燕麦为材料,研究NaCl胁迫下施用外源EBR对燕麦幼苗无机离子吸收、运输和分配的影响。结果表明:100mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,"青引2号"和"加燕2号"燕麦幼苗叶片和根系中的Na+、Cl-含量均显著升高,对阳离子的吸收产生了拮抗作用,导致燕麦幼苗叶片和根系中的K+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Mn2+、Fe2+、Zn2+、Cu2+含量显著降低,离子稳态平衡被打破; 100 mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下,施用0.01μmol·L-1外源EBR后,"青引2号"和"加燕2号"燕麦幼苗叶片和根系中的Na+和Cl-含量显著降低,促进了燕麦幼苗根系对K+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Fe2+、Mn2+、Cu2+和Zn2+的吸收,叶片和根系中K+/Na+、Cl-/Na+、Ca2+/Na+、Mg2+/Na+、Fe2+/Na+、Mn2+/Na+、Cu2+/Na+和Zn2+/Na+显著升高,并且有效调控燕麦幼苗体内无机离子的运输比和阳离子的运输选择性比率,离子稳态重新达到平衡状态;说明外源EBR能够缓解NaCl胁迫下Na+和Cl-对燕麦幼苗所造成的离子毒害作用,有效调控燕麦幼苗对无机离子的选择性吸收、运输和分配,对维持燕麦幼苗体内的离子稳态平衡具有正向调控作用。     

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。     

等渗Ca(NO3)2和NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗生长及渗透调节物质含量的影响

采用营养液培养方法,以耐盐性较弱的‘津春2号’黄瓜品种为试材,研究了等渗Ca(NO3)2和NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗生长、根系电解质渗透率、根系活力、Na+和K+含量及渗透调节物质含量的影响。结果显示:(1)在84mmol.L-1 NaCl和56mmol.L-1 Ca(NO3)2等渗胁迫下,黄瓜幼苗鲜重和干重均显著下降,且NaCl处理下降的幅度大于等渗Ca(NO3)2处理。(2)NaCl主要通过对黄瓜根系的伤害来抑制植株生长,表现为根系活力下降、根系质膜透性增大、Na+大量积累、K+含量显著下降、Na+/K+明显上升,最终导致根冠比下降;而Ca(NO3)2处理对根系质膜透性、K+含量、Na+/K+的影响均小于NaCl胁迫,且根系活力和根冠比上升,但Ca(NO3)2胁迫后叶片含水量和渗透调节能力均小于NaCl胁迫。(3)NaCl胁迫条件下,黄瓜幼苗内渗透调节物质以可溶性糖为主,而Ca(NO3)2胁迫以可溶性蛋白为主。研究表明,NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗的伤害大于等渗Ca(NO3)2,NaCl主要通过破坏根系质膜结构影响植株生长,而Ca(NO3)2主要通过引起地上部生理干旱来影响植株生长。     

盐胁迫对药用蒲公英生长特性及有效成分积累与离子吸收分配效应的影响

以药用蒲公英(Taraxacum officinale)为试材,研究不同浓度盐胁迫对其生长特性、有效成分积累和离子吸收分配的影响。结果表明,低盐胁迫(0.1% NaCl)对药用蒲公英生长和菊苣酸含量无显著影响,叶中Na+含量与对照无显著差异,K+含量及K+/Na+显著升高;高盐胁迫(≥0.2% NaCl)下其生长受到显著抑制,菊苣酸含量显著降低,类囊体膜结构随着盐胁迫加剧趋于紊乱,光合能力减弱,叶片Na+含量显著上升,而K+、Ca2+和Mg2+含量下降,K+/Na+、Ca2+/Na+和Mg2+/Na+显著降低。离子运输选择性系数(SCa,Na、SMg,Na、SK,Na)随着盐胁迫加剧呈先升后降趋势。相关性分析表明,盐胁迫下蒲公英叶片Na+含量与叶片生理指标呈极显著负相关。因此,叶片Na+富集是药用蒲公英遭受盐害导致生长受抑制的主要原因之一。     

盐胁迫对沙枣幼苗不同部位矿质元素含量的影响

沙枣(Elaeagnus angustifolia L.)是我国北方生态脆弱地区造林绿化的一个先锋树种,为进一步揭示其耐盐生理机制,本文采用温室水培方法,研究了0(CK)、100和200mmol·L-1NaCl胁迫下沙枣实生幼苗不同部位(根、茎、叶和地上部分)Na、Cl、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Cu、Mn、NO_3~--N、SO_4~(2-)-S、P等11种主要矿质元素含量、含量比值以及转移系数的变化。结果表明:(1)与对照相比,盐胁迫沙枣幼苗根、茎、叶以及地上部分Na和Cl含量急剧增加,转移能力显著降低。200 mmol·L-1盐胁迫植株根、茎、叶和地上部分离子含量分别为对照的16.2、7.2、9.6和8.7倍(Na)以及4.8、2.7、3.7和3.4倍(Cl),Na和Cl转移系数分别为对照的53.6%和69.6%。根系成为Na和Cl含量最高的器官,200 mmol·L-1盐胁迫幼苗根Na含量分别是茎、叶Na含量的4.3和2.9倍,根Cl含量分别是茎、叶Cl含量的3.7和1.5倍;(2)盐胁迫沙枣幼苗根、茎、叶和地上部分K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Cu、NO_3~--N、SO_4~(2-)-S、P含量均低于或显著低于对照,K/Na、Ca/Na、Mg/Na比值均大幅低于对照,而Mg、Fe、Cu、SO_4~(2-)-S、P的转移系数则不同程度的高于对照;(3)Ca和Mn的转移系数随着盐胁迫浓度的升高而依次显著升高,K和Ca的转移系数始终维持在较高水平(分别为1.07~1.14和1.03~1.42),且植株体内的K、Ca和Mn优先向叶片分配。综合分析推测,沙枣耐盐主要是通过根系对Na和Cl的聚积与限制作用以及茎有效地限制Na向功能叶片运输来实现的,同时也与沙枣具有较强的K、Ca和Mn转移能力有关。     

短期NaCl胁迫对不同小麦品种幼苗K+吸收和Na+、K+积累的影响

为研究盐胁迫下小麦幼苗生长及Na⁺、K⁺的吸收和积累规律,以中国春、洲元9369和长武134等3种耐盐性不同小麦品种为材料,采用非损伤微测技术检测盐胁迫2 d后的根系K⁺离子流变化,并对植株体内的Na⁺、K⁺含量进行测定。结果表明:短期(2d)盐胁迫对小麦生长有抑制作用,且对根系的抑制大于地上部,耐盐品种下降幅度小于盐敏感品种。盐胁迫下,小麦根际的 K⁺大量外流,盐敏感品种中国春K⁺流速显著高于耐盐品种长武134,最高可达15倍。小麦幼苗地上部分和根系均表现为Na⁺积累增加,K⁺积累减少,Na⁺/K⁺比随盐浓度增加而上升。中国春限Na⁺能力显著低于长武134,Na⁺/K⁺则显著高于长武134。综上所述,盐胁迫下造成小麦组织器官中Na⁺/K⁺比上升的主要原因是根系K⁺大量外流和Na⁺的过量积累,耐盐性不同的小麦品种间差异显著,并认为根系对K⁺的保有能力可能是作物耐盐性评价的一个重要指标。     

Cloning and functional analysis of the K+ transporter, PhaHAK2, from salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant reed plants

We isolated PhaHAK2 cDNAs from salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive reed plants. PhaHAK2 belongs to group II by phylogenetic analysis, and was predicted to be a high-affinity plasma membrane K⁺ transporter. Yeast transformed with the PhaHAK2-u from salt-sensitive reed plants (Phragmites australis) had a decreased ability to take up K⁺ in the presence of NaCl and showed a higher Na⁺ permeability than yeast transformed with PhaHAK2-n or PhaHAK2-e from two salt-tolerant reed plants. These results suggest a possibility that the continuous K⁺ uptake by PhaHAK2 and maintenance of high K⁺/Na⁺ ratio under salt stress condition is one of the causes of the salt-tolerance in reed plants.     

Aspects of Salt Tolerance in a NaCl-Selected Stable Cell Line of Citrus sinensis

A NaCl-tolerant cell line which was selected from ovular callus of `Shamouti' orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) proved to be a true cell line variant. This conclusion is based on the following observations. (a) Cells which have been removed from the selection pressure for at least four passages retain the same NaCl tolerance as do cells which are kept constantly on 0.2 molar NaCl. (b) Na⁺ and Cl⁻ uptake are considerably lower in salt-tolerant cells (R-10) than in salt-sensitive cells (L-5) at a given external NaCl concentration. (c) Growth of salt-tolerant cells is markedly suppressed upon replacement of NaCl by KCl, whereas the growth of salt-sensitive cells is only slightly affected. Accumulation of K⁺ and Cl⁻ accompanies the inhibition of growth. Experiments carried out with sodium and potassium sulfate suggest that the toxic effect is due to the accumulated Cl⁻. (d) Removal of Ca²⁺ from the growth medium severely inhibits the growth of salt-tolerant cells in the presence of NaCl, while it has a minor effect on growth of salt-sensitive cells in the presence of NaCl. (e) Electron micrographs show that the salt-tolerant cells have very big vacuoles when exposed to salt, while the size of the vacuoles of the salt-sensitive cells does not change.     

Salt Tolerance in Aquatic Macrophytes: Ionic Relation and Interaction

Effects of seawater salinity (SWS) and pure NaCl on the intracellular contents of Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, chlorophylls (Chl) and carotenoids (Car) were studied in three submerged aquatic macrophytes, Hydrilla verticillata, Najas indica and Najas gramenia, which differed in their tolerance to salinity. NaCl resulted in significant increase in Chl/Car ratio in the salt-sensitive H. verticillata and moderately salt-tolerant N. indica, but not in the salt-tolerant N. gramenia. SWS treatment did not result in any significant change in the ratio. The intracellular content of Na⁺ increased significantly in all the test plants upon exposure to both NaCl and SWS. The content of K⁺ decreased significantly in these plants upon salinity treatment, except in N. gramenia. The contents of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ decreased significantly upon NaCl treatment and remained unchanged or increased upon SWS treatment. No relationship between salt tolerance and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio was observed. The maintenance of a minimal level of K⁺ was observed to be the most probable requirement of salt tolerance in aquatic macrophytes.     

Selection of callus cultures of sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) tolerant to NaCl and their response to salt stress

Stable callus cultures tolerant to NaCl (68 mM) were developed from salt-sensitive sugarcane cultivar CP65-357 by in vitro selection process. The accumulation of both inorganic (Na⁺, Cl⁻ and K⁺) and organic (proline and soluble sugars) solutes was determined in selected and non-selected calli after a NaCl shock in order to evaluate their implication in in vitro salt tolerance of the selected lines. Both salt-tolerant and non-selected calli showed similar relative fresh weight growth in the absence of NaCl. No growth reduction was observed in salt-tolerant calli while a significant reduction about 32% was observed in nonselected ones when both were cultivated on 68 mM NaCl. Accumulation of Na⁺ was similar in both salt-tolerant and non-selected calli in the presence of NaCl. Accumulation of Cl⁻ was lower in NaCl-tolerant than in non-selected calli while proline and soluble sugars were more accumulated in salt-tolerant than in non-selected calli when both were exposed to salt. K⁺ level decreased more severely in non-selected calli than in NaCl-tolerant ones after NaCl shock. The results indicated that K⁺ and Cl⁻ may play a key role in in vitro salt-tolerance in sugarcance cell lines obtained by in vitro selection and that organic solutes could contribute mainly to counteract the negative water potential of the outside medium.     

Growth rate, water relations and ion accumulation of soybean callus lines differing in salinity tolerance under salinity stress and its subsequent relief

A selected Glycine max (L.) salt-tolerant calluscell line (R100) was significantly more tolerant to salt than a salt-sensitiveline (S100) during exposure to salt stress. Growth (Fresh and Dry weights) ofthe R100 cell line declined significantly at NaCl concentrations greater than 75mM, while growth of the S100 cell line was already impaired at 25mM NaCl. Levels of Na⁺ and Cl^– inthe callus were elevated as the salt concentration increased, whileK⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ levels weremarkedly reduced. The lower s reduction and Na⁺accumulation found in the S100 callus corresponded with the higher callusdehydration during salinity. Calli grown on Miller's basal medium weresupplied with 100 mM NaCl for 12 days and then supplied with mediumwithout NaCl to relieve salinity stress. The Na⁺ andCl^– content decreased in both R100 and S100 cell lines duringthe first 24 h and reached normal levels four days after transferto the normal medium. This lower concentration was maintained until the end ofthe experiment. Concurrently, the K⁺ content andK⁺/Na⁺ ratio increased sharply and reached theirhighest levels within 24 h in both salt-sensitive and salt-tolerantcell lines. These data suggest that the inhibitory effects of salinization ongrowth and accumulation of potentially toxic ions (Na⁺,Cl^–) can be readily reversed when salinity is relieved.     

Evaluation of salt tolerance at the seedling stage in rice genotypes by growth performance, ion accumulation, proline and chlorophyll content

Aims

The objectives of this study were to evaluate salt tolerance level of rice genotypes using the well-established screening criteria; the salt injury score, survival percentage and ratio between Na⁺ and K⁺, as well as the contents of proline and chlorophyll, and to identify the relationship between salt tolerance and physiological characters.

Methods

One hundred and six rice genotypes were grown in hydroponic solutions subjected to salt stress and evaluated for salt tolerance ability and the physiological parameters. Multivariate cluster analysis was performed based on salinity tolerance scores (ST scores; score 1 being the most tolerant, score 9 the most sensitive), survival percentage and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio.

Results

ST scores based on salt injury symptoms were negatively correlated with survival percentage and chlorophyll concentration in the stressed seedlings but positively correlated with Na⁺/K⁺ ratio and proline content. Rice genotypes were classified into five salt tolerance groups: tolerant (T), moderately tolerant (MT), moderately sensitive (MS), sensitive (S) and highly sensitive (HS). The means of ST scores were significantly different among the five tolerance groups indicating that the ST score was the most reliable index for identifying salt tolerance. The means of Na⁺/K⁺ ratio and proline content in stressed seedlings were distinctively different between the extreme T and HS groups, but the means among the intermediate groups (MT, MS and S) were not significantly different. Chlorophyll content, on the other hand, was not related to the levels of salt tolerance.

Conclusions

In addition to the commonly used Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, proline content is suggested to be another useful criterion to differentiate salt-tolerant from salt-sensitive rice. This study also identified several Thai improved and local cultivars with the level of salt tolerance and physiological characters comparable to Pokkali, the standard salt-tolerant donor and may be utilized as alternative sources of salt tolerance alleles.     

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.     

Alleviation of detrimental effects of NaCl by silicon nutrition in salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant genotypes of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

Salt stress is a major environmental factor which adversely affects the crop yield and quality. However, adequate regulation of mineral nutrients may ameliorate the deleterious effects of salts and help to sustain crop productivity under salt stress. Salt-sensitive (SPF 213) and salt-tolerant (HSF 240) sugarcane genotypes were grown in gravel at 0 and 100 mM NaCl by supplying 0, 1.4 mM, 2.1 mM and 2.8 mM of Si as calcium silicate. Results revealed that plants treated with NaCl alone showed a significant (P?≤?0.05) reduction in dry matter production, K⁺ concentration, cane yield and juice quality in both genotypes but the magnitude of reduction was relatively more in salt-sensitive genotype than salt-tolerant. Addition of Si significantly (P?≤?0.05) reduced the uptake and translocation of Na⁺ but increased K⁺ concentrations particularly in shoots of both sugarcane genotypes. Cane yield and yield attributes were significantly (P?≤?0.05) higher where Si was added. Juice quality characteristics were significantly (P?≤?0.05) improved in salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant sugarcane genotypes with the application of Si. The results suggested that added Si interacted with Na⁺, reduced its uptake and transport to shoots and consequently improved cane yield and juice quality in salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant sugarcane genotypes under salt stress.     

Inducing salt tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.) through seed priming with chloride salts: Growth and ion transport at early growth stages

The study was conducted to determine whether salt tolerance could be induced in maize at germination stage by soaking of seeds for 8 h in distilled water or in 200 meq·L⁻¹ of NaCl, KCl, CaCl₂·2H₂O. Both primed and un-primed seeds were subjected for 14 days to 0, 100 or 200 mol·m⁻³ NaCl under controlled conditions. Although all priming agents were effective in alleviating adverse effects of salt stress on maize at germination stage, CaCl₂·2H₂O proved to be more effective since the seeds primed with this salt had significantly higher final germination, rate of germination and fresh and dry weights of plumules and radicles than those treated with other salts or distilled water. Concentration of Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ increased significantly in all parts of germinating seeds of maize seeds primed with NaCl, KCl, or CaCl₂·2H₂O, respectively. In addition, seeds primed with CaCl₂·2H₂O were the highest in Cl⁻ accumulation in all parts of the germinating seeds, followed by seeds treated with NaCl and KCl. Most of the Ca²⁺ was retained in seeds and mesocotyl, because of which, transport of this ion to plumules and radicles was low.